Soundbites: Costs cause diabetics to ration insulin

According to the American Diabetes Association, the average price of insulin nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013. A recent report showed 26 percent of patients with diabetes had skimped on insulin because of those costs, More than a third of those patients say they never talked to their provider about this. Cutting back on insulin can lead to serious complications for diabetics. These can include blindness, kidney failure, or death. 

Lorena Wright, a UW Medicine endocrinologist and diabetes specialist, describes what she's seen in her practice. She adds that some of her patients drive to Canada to be able to afford to purchase the insulin they need. There are resources available, and if you are having trouble affording care, speak with your doctor.