The announcement that insulin supplies for diabetics will not exceed $35/month for those of us on private insurance if supplied by Eli Lilly, followed by NPR’s meditation on suppliers and profits and whatnot, reminded me of an old conspiracy theory, the one that says the pharma industry and medicine in general exists not to cure disease, but to ameliorate it into chronic conditions, and pharma makes its money on the treatments of those chronic conditions. Solutions are strictly forbidden.
I once even heard that one from a very close friend. She was frustrated to crying over the loss of various family members to cancer.
So as I meandered into work this morning, it occurred to me that, assuming you buy into this conspiracy theory, this sort of announcement may actually act as a motivation for Big Pharma to find a cure for diabetes, or rather cures, as I figure there’s separate causes for Type 1 and Type 2, and possibly even multiple variations for each.
Why?
It’s one more chance to make money. If the chances of making lots of money through amelioration are gone, then go for the final big payday.
If you have any inclination for this conspiracy theory, then this is a potential outcome of Eli Lilly’s move, in concert with ACA’s lowering of costs. Even though insurance often negotiates cost reductions.
If you’re into conspiracy theories. I’m not.
