How much insulin costs around the world vs. the U.S.

Many factors contribute to this large gap. The U.S. relies more on newer, more expensive forms of insulin, and the regulatory environment in some other countries helps keep prices lower. Countries with single-payer systems, like the United Kingdom and Canada, can use their negotiating power to keep prices down too.

The current situation is a far cry from what the inventors of insulin envisioned over a century ago. After selling their patent for the drug for $1, one co-inventor declared “insulin belongs to the world.” Even with Eli Lilly’s recent move, the drug will remain hard to reach for many Americans.