MEDIA ADVISORY
Representative Nicholas X. Duran (D- Miami) has filed HB 109 in the Florida House of Representatives to help rein in the rising cost of insulin for people living with diabetes here in Florida, and will join Senator Janet Cruz (D- Tampa) for a press conference bringing attention to this life-threatening problem.
As of 2017, there were 2.4 million Floridians with diabetes. These individuals need insulin as if it is oxygen. The quality of insulin has not changed since the 1990’s. However, what has changed, and drastically, is the price. In 1996, the price of Humalog was $21 per vial. In 2017, the cost of the same drug skyrocketed to $278. The quantity of insulin required varies greatly between individuals, with some paying upwards of $900 a month just for the necessary supply. It is unconscionable to allow diabetics in our state to continue to be exploited. SB 116 and HB 109 both set a cap on co-pays at $100 per month for insulin, regardless of supply needed. Diabetics in Florida should not live in fear of death simply because they cannot afford the outrageous cost of insulin. These legislative measures will expand access to their life-saving medication.
Representative Nicholas X. Duran issued the following statement: “The drug importation plan is not going to happen in the next month or likely even in the next year because the federal government needs to carry out the rule-making process. Further, the proposed plan would not apply to high-priced injectable, biologic drugs like insulin. Many people do not have time to wait, so we coming together to take specific and direct action now.”
WHO: Senator Janet Cruz
Representative Nicholas X. Duran
Otis W. Kirksey, Pharm.D., Certified Diabetes Educator
Joanne Mayers, CNO, BSN, MSN, RN
Meredith Possner, Mom of T1 Diabetic
Emmabella Rudd, T1 International, FSU student advocate
American Diabetes Association Advocates
WHAT: SB 116/HB 109 Press Conference
WHEN: Wednesday, November 13th at 12:15 p.m.
WHERE: Florida State Capitol, 4th Floor Rotunda
402 S. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399
