“Insulin is a life-saving prescription drug,” Bertino-Tarrant said. “It is outrageous that drug manufacturers are often placing profit before people. If they are going to utilize greedy profit schemes to make money off this crucial medication, it is time for the state to intervene.”

The state legislator added that while people with Type 1 and some Type 2 diabetes need insulin, regular price hikes make it more expensive for the uninsured and those whose health insurance requires significant cost sharing. The legislation would also direct the Illinois Attorney General’s office to investigate reasons for rising prescription insulin costs to ensure sufficient consumer protections. The Attorney General’s office will issue a one-time report detailing its findings and make public policy recommendations.

Bertino-Tarrant cited data from the American Diabetes Association, which said that of the more than
30 million Americans who have diabetes, 7.4 million require prescription insulin every day to survive.