Insulin co-discoverer Dr. Frederick Banting made his way to a street corner in front of the Eli Lilly headquarters in Indianapolis this past weekend, to protest high insulin prices that have hit crisis status here in America.
OK, it wasn't actually Dr. Banting.
Longtime type 1 Jane Ware Barnes from northwest Indiana actually brought Dr. Banting—or rather a homemade, plush fabric doll-version of him that hung on to her backpack. He wore a "Dr. Banting" namebadge and clutched an #insulin4all sign, demanding more reasonable insulin prices or else he wanted the original $3 patent from the 1920s back.
Other protesters had signs mirroring that sentiment as well—such as "Drs. Banting and Best would be mortified!" And one protester living with diabetes himself was dressed up as the Grim Reaper, carrying a scythe to showcase how insulin is essential to life and unaffordable prices are literally killing people.
Despite a modest turnout, folks on hand that day were excitedly acknowledging that this in-person protest may very well be the most visible grassroots action of its kind on insulin prices to date. Of course, it's TBD as to just what impact this may have—from pressuring Pharma companies to raising public awareness in a meaningful way that affects change.
Voices from the Frontline
"I felt like everyone attending really thought out of the box to achieve strong and compelling ways to get the message across," said Karyn Wofford, a type 1 for 15 years. "The Banting doll was a super-creative and lighthearted way to drive home such a meaningful message!"
I participated in the protest myself, putting together my own story for the event alongside T1International, the grassroots group based in the UK that created the #insulin4all rally cry in 2014, working with the Indy-based nonprofit People of Faith for Access to Medicine.
Listen Up, Pharma
The official "main asks" to Eli Lilly were: Transparency in business costs, R&D transparency on the cost of making a vial of insulin, and—most importantly—lowering prices.
While we know that drug pricing overall is complex—involving PBMs and Payors—manufacturers are key. They need to step up and influence change that does right by patients.
The event garnered significant media coverage, including front-page articles in the Indy Star and Indianapolis Business Journal. It was a successful effort to increase public awareness.
Official Responses
Eli Lilly provided a statement noting they are "pleased that people in the diabetes community are engaged" and remain "committed to finding solutions."
Major advocacy organizations like the American Diabetes Association and JDRF did not participate in this specific demonstration, though both continue to urge manufacturers to foster greater transparency.
What's Next?
With the Lilly protest behind us, advocates are looking toward the other insulin manufacturers, Novo and Sanofi. There is continued interest in strengthening online advocacy and raising the collective voice of the Diabetes Community.
Working together—those living with diabetes, advocacy groups, and lawmakers—we can push for the changes necessary to ensure that insulin is accessible for everyone who needs it.
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Originally published at DiabetesMine
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