Juvenile Insulin by Madai

Juvenile Insulin by Madai - February 2020 Scholarship Essay

My friend has diabetes. While she can afford the costs, many others with Type 1 Diabetes are not as fortunate. Some even go as far as rationing their insulin in order to prolong it as they cannot afford another dose for a while. This has led to many hospital visits, which put the individual even further into debt, or even death.
Unlike the EpiPen lawsuit, there has not been a legal movement against the three major insulin companies, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi, which monopolize 90% of the insulin market. This has turned people to create a social movement on the internet called #insulin4all.
With the resources, I would like to create a nonprofit organization that would inform the general public about this oligopoly and create a legal case against insulin companies to lower their prices to an affordable price, or even require insurances to cover the costs. Insulin is not a luxury item, but a necessity for those who cannot produce it on their own. The government should not turn a blind eye to the thousands who die from a lack of resources to acquire insulin and other diabetic equipment. It should be made a priority that insulin patents do not restrict companies that are trying to make a cheaper alternative/generic brand.
In addition to fighting this problem legally, I would create a resource group and charity to fund those with Type 1 diabetes who struggle to attain insulin products.
By battling this struggle from the legal and societal front, I hope to help those who suffer from this issue, and I hope to bring awareness to both the general public and doctors who can work to make insulin more accessible.