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But see, it's not. At least not for the majority of common chronic diseases. Cancer, MS, stuff like that is super pricey sure. Thyroid, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, even RA if methotrexate is enough can be done for very reasonable prices.
I am curious where you are getting your info -- according to GoodRx, the cheapest available 70/30 prep is $145. The point is valid that a free market economy is only functional when the customer is informed about what he is buying and chooses an alternative that makes sense to him financially. Do you suggest that IDDMs are choosing "designer insulin" rather than 70/30 because they like it better?
I can tell you that, when I was uninsured, I paid out of pocket for Lantus and Humalog (to the tune of $7200/year) because I didn't know how to convert to R and NPH (or 70/30).
Thank you for supporting my point -- if we can't do it, how can we judge the patient for not being able to? So much of the problem with heath-care costs is driven by the fact that 1) we just don't have time to educate patients about their conditions/meds and 2) neither the patient nor the doctor really have any influence over the cost of services rendered. The problem is far more complex than just a culture of entitlement in the US
It's only that cheap OTC. I know, weird that insulin is OTC right?
That's why you have a family doctor, that's easy for us (and internists)
Wow! You are correct - I had no idea. Good to know!
70/30 isn't short acting only, the NPH part works best doses twice a day kinda like levemir
Legend drugs (like old school insulin, like R and NPH) you can get OTC. However (in NY, at least), syringes - that's another story!
Umm, dummy (you're not, I'm only kidding), I am a dumb ER doc! I didn't have (and don't have, b/c they would tell me to stop drinking beer) a primary physician!
