One that really got me was the great cost of an EpiPen. Really. Let's talk about the cost of ANY medical condition and you know what you find?! Someone is making a ton of money off of sick people. With that said, yes EpiPens are overpriced and save lives but so do many other medications. Let's attack the big bad pharmacy as a whole.
I worked in the hospital for a long time and one of the repeating causes of hospitalization was uncontrolled diabetes. Some were there because they simply didn't take care of themselves but a lot more were admitted because they could not afford their medication AND supplies needed. Here is a post that I really found note worthy:
"Recently, you may have seen the public outcry over the cost of EpiPens. While I sympathize with you, I want to share with you a couple of pictures. These two pictures represent the cost of the life saving devices and medications that I have to use/take daily. It will never end, because my disease currently doesn't have a cure. I have Type 1 Diabetes, which is an autoimmune disease. In short, my body attacked my pancreas, rendering it unable to produce insulin. EVERYONE needs insulin to live. Only difference between you and I is your body produces it's own. I have to inject mine. Every time I eat, and every time my blood sugar is at an unsafe level. Please do not confuse this with the more commonly known Type 2. Type 2 is where your body becomes RESISTANT to insulin, which is why Type 2 in most cases can be managed by diet and exercise. No amount of diet or exercise will make my pancreas work again. Now that we have that established, back to the two pictures. The first one is the ESSENTIAL supplies and medications that a Type 1 needs to survive and live a healthy life. The second, are considered "luxury" items. (I'll never understand why they are considered that by many insurance companies, but that's another story for another day). Those prices are the retail prices of the specific items for a ONE MONTH SUPPLY. Just one month! As most of you know, not everyone has health insurance, and even more don't have sufficient coverage, and while they may not pay FULL retail price, they still pay very large deductibles and co-payments. This is ridiculous! This is NOT OK! Did you know that the very same insulin in Canada costs about $25 a box? The very same insulin! It's almost $800 here in America! How is this fair?! There are mothers out there PLEADING with others to help them afford their 7-8 month old baby's LIFE SAVING MEDICATIONS AND SUPPLIES. How is this ok?! We need to see a change. You shouldn't have to pay $3,000 A MONTH just to keep yourself or your child alive!!Author: Crys Allen of Boise Idaho
Please, I never post things to share. I don't ask for much but this, THIS IS SO IMPORTANT. PLEASE share this post. We need to make a change, and we need it NOW. Our lives are NOT for profit!"
#mylifeisnotforprofit #makeinsulinaffordableforallamericans
So here is my outcry for all you do-good-er politicians
Make ALL Medications Affordable.
