Okla. Attorney General Announces Effort To Investigate Insulin Manufacturer Prices

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond wants an independent counsel to investigate whether the price of insulin is too high.

Drummond says it could lead to a lawsuit against drug makers.

In many cases, Attorney General Gentner Drummond says manufacturers are receiving up to 1000 percent in profits. He calls it an exploitation of Oklahomans.

The Attorney General says potential legal action could be taken against Insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers for illegally pricing insulin and prioritizing profit.

"We have drug manufacturers and pharmacy managers that have taken advantage of Oklahoma,” Drummond said.

Drummond says nearly 13 percent of adults in Oklahoma are diabetic and rely on insulin - a hormone that converts food into energy and is vital to regulating blood sugar levels for diabetic patients, but affordability is not attainable for many patients.

“And it’s a crisis, and we must abate this crisis by giving them affordable insulin products to take care of their health,” Drummond said.

The proposal filed on Thursday is seeking bids from outside legal counsel representing the OAG.

Diagnosed a diabetic as a senior in high school, Brad Ramey has depended on insulin for more than 30 years.

“There were some months I was spending $700, $800 dollars a month just for insulin and the supplies on top of the insurance costs of $900 month just because I’m in that category of a 'deficient human' as far as health,” Ramey said.

Those numbers don't include the hundreds of dollars Ramey says also go toward diet restrictions or quarterly doctor's visits to get prescriptions refilled. Without insurance, those numbers are even higher.

“Probably 2 grand a month is what it would cost a person on the street without insurance that their body isn't functioning correctly just to live,” Ramey said.

Whether the OAG gets outside representation or takes legal action itself, Drummond says he is 100 percent confident the OAG will win the lawsuit.