Insulin in 2016: Challenge and constraints to access

Abstract

Insulin was discovered in 1921, first used by an individual with type 1 diabetes in 1922 and then became widely available in the “Western world”. Challenges of access to insulin have been documented and these relate mainly to issues of availability, price and affordability, particularly in low- and middle-income countries [ [1] Beran D. Ewen M. Laing R. Constraints and challenges in access to insulin: a global perspective. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2016; 4: 275-285 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (109) Google Scholar ]. For example, insulin was only available in 20% of facilities where it should have been present in Mozambique (in 2003) and in Mali insulin cost the equivalent of USD 11 per vial (in 2004) [ [2] Beran D. Yudkin J.S. Looking beyond the issue of access to insulin: what is needed for proper diabetes care in resource poor settings. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2010; 88: 217-221 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (64) Google Scholar ]. In some high-income countries challenges with affordability have been reported [ [1] Beran D. Ewen M. Laing R. Constraints and challenges in access to insulin: a global perspective. Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2016; 4: 275-285 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (109) Google Scholar ]. There is a need to examine availability in both the public and private sectors, as this will have an impact on cost to the individual.