Amazon Online Pharmacy Automates Discounts for Insulin Patients
Introduction
Amazon announced on Tuesday that its online pharmacy will now automatically apply manufacturer-sponsored coupons to more than 15 insulin and diabetes medicines. This initiative aims to help patients access the discounts pledged by the drug industry. Patients using Amazon Pharmacy will no longer need to search for and manually enter coupons from the three largest insulin makers, Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi. This will significantly lower the cost of their insulin, with prices as low as $35 for a month’s supply.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Background
In March, Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi announced their commitment to reduce insulin prices by at least 70% by or in 2024. However, a report released by Senator Elizabeth Warren last month revealed that some patients were struggling to obtain already discounted generic insulin from pharmacies at the promised lower price. Despite Lilly’s efforts to lower the list price of its Insulin Lispro to $25 per vial in May, patients were still being quoted prices as high as $330 for the medicine. Additionally, they were not being informed about cheaper alternatives when visiting pharmacies and faced difficulties in utilizing Lilly’s savings program.
Amazon’s Response
Vin Gupta, Amazon Pharmacy’s Chief Medical Officer, emphasized the need to make it easier for patients to access insulin at the lowest possible prices. Amazon’s new program addresses this issue by automating the application of manufacturer-sponsored coupons. This ensures that patients using Amazon Pharmacy can benefit from the discounts pledged by Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi. By eliminating the manual search and entry process, Amazon Pharmacy aims to streamline access to affordable insulin for patients.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
The article discusses the issue of high insulin prices and the difficulty patients face in accessing affordable insulin. This directly relates to SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines.
The article highlights the need to make it easier for patients to access affordable insulin. This aligns with Target 3.8, which focuses on ensuring access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 3.8.2: Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health as a share of total household expenditure or income.
The article mentions that patients using Amazon Pharmacy will no longer have to manually search for and enter coupons to lower the cost of insulin. This indicates a potential improvement in the proportion of population with large household expenditures on health as a share of total household expenditure or income.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential healthcare services, and access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable essential medicines and vaccines. | Indicator 3.8.2: Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health as a share of total household expenditure or income. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: science.slashdot.org
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
