RALEIGH, N.C. — Bobbie Barbrey has been working in the pharmacy industry for decades.

Eli Lilly capped out-of-pocket prices for insulin at $35 a month

Pharmacists say it is a good first step but long overdue

Different patients prefer different ways of receiving injections

When he opened the Medicap Wellness and Compounding Pharmacy in 2001 it was centered around a better patient care model.

“What I have learned through the years is that giving people hope and optimism about their health future is one of the best ways to encourage them to take ownership of their health,” Barbrey said.

The pharmacist said some people living with diabetes can struggle to pay for their insulin.

“Patients need to have affordable solutions to their diabetes,” Barbrey said.

When the news broke about Eli Lilly capping the out-of-pocket insulin prices at $35 a month, Barbrey knew it was long overdue.

“Isn’t it exciting that we have finally gotten some news that the price of a prescription drug is going to go down?” Barbrey said.

But Barbrey wants to know how a change in drug prices affects their rate of reimbursement from insurance companies.

“At the same time, we need to receive a reasonable profit from the sale of this insulin to continue to offer it to the patient,” Barbrey said.

Barbrey’s co-worker Dr. Eshan Safaya said affordability is a major problem.

“Every day we have patients coming in with co-pays and medications they can’t afford,” Safaya said.

Safaya said too many times patients may stretch their insulin, taking less in order to have it for a longer time.

“At the end of the day the best medication a patient can get is one they can afford,” Safaya said.

Based on U.S. census data, the estimated number of North Carolinians diagnosed with diabetes is just under 925,000.

Barbrey said patients want options for how they receive injections, either a pinprick or more traditionally using vials.

He said for too long biopharmaceutical companies, like Eli Lilly, have made profits at the expense of patients.

“I hope that maybe more types of insulin will be available to the patients to make it easier to achieve their optimal dosing. We will just have to see how all this shakes out. But you know what? It’s a great first step,” he said.

Both pharmacists said the move by Eli Lilly to reduce drug costs should ultimately influence other companies to do the same.

Each druggist recommended patients consult their pharmacist on navigating what medicines their insurance will cover. They asked people to put their trust in their pharmacists to navigate them to the best medicine for the best price.