Between the years 2000 and 2010, the average cost for individuals filling prescriptions for insulin has nearly doubled. Research indicates that this increase in personal costs accompanies an increase in the number of insulin prescriptions being filled. In 2000, around 10 percent of those with type 2 diabetes filled insulin prescriptions that cost them an average of $19 each. By 2010, these figures rose to 15 percent, with those filling prescriptions for insulin paying an average of $36.

The development of a new kind of insulin may be responsible for both types of inflation, research indicates.

The new type of insulin is known as insulin analogs, which differs from synthetic human and animal insulin traditionally used to help regulate blood sugar levels. Insulin analogs offer more options for dosing and as a result have been readily accepted despite their increased costs. The study revealed that the number of patients filling prescriptions for synthetic insulin prescriptions dropped to 15 percent in 2010 when in 2000, the figure was around 96 percent. Conversely, analog prescriptions rose from 19 percent of patients in 2000 to 90 percent in 2010.

The increase in both insulin’s use and cost does not seem to coincide with expert projections on medical intervention trends for type 2 diabetes. The introduction of several medications meant to help lower blood sugar levels should indicate that fewer prescriptions for insulin would be necessary, but research shows that this is clearly not happening. More people are being prescribed more expensive medication than might be necessary.

Insulin analogs are not the superior choice for every patient. Some, for instance, may benefit more from synthetic insulin or alternative drugs available on the market. People treating type 2 diabetes are encouraged to participate in discussions with their doctors about the different choices available in order to establish which approach is the most medically and financially effective for managing one’s own diagnosis.