Diabetes Patients And Advocates Launch”Affordable Insulin Now” Campaign

INDIANAPOLIS — Diabetes patients and advocates launched the “Affordable Insulin Now” campaign outside the headquarters of Insulin manufacturer and seller Eli Lilly in Indianapolis on Thursday.

The campaign is designed to hold lawmakers and pharmaceutical executives accountable and demand they lower life-saving drug prices.

Nicole Smith-Holt, who lost her 26-year-old son because of insulin rationing, promised to keep up the pressure until change happens.

“We will not stop, and we will not go away,” Smith-Holt said. “We will continue to grow in numbers, gain strength, and continue to fight for affordable insulin now.”

According to Indianapolis Business Journal, the “Affordable Insulin Now” initiative mainly relies on digital advertising and uses Health Care Voter’s social media and the platforms of similar partner organizations to broadcast the stories of “marginalized communities” who have been affected by diabetes and the prices of insulin.

Lilly is one of the top three insulin makers in the United States. Amid longstanding criticism over rising insulin prices, the company released a half-price version of its popular Humalog insulin in May.

About 30 million people in the United States have diabetes.