Why insulin, the core element of diabetes treatment remains inaccessible for millions of people

Article excerpt

Insulin's discovery in 1921 transformed type 1 diabetes from a fatal diagnosis into a manageable chronic illness. Yet more than a century later, millions of people worldwide still cannot access this lifesaving hormone. The gap between insulin's availability in wealthy nations and its scarcity in low- and middle-income countries reflects systemic failures in drug pricing, supply chains, and healthcare infrastructure. Patients rationing doses, skipping injections, or going without insulin entirely face serious complications including diabetic ketoacidosis and premature death. Experts point to pharmaceutical monopolies, manufacturing constraints, and government policies as key barriers to universal access.