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How to Think About the Cost of Medication
The majority of people with type 2 diabetes and many with prediabetes take some form of medication to help
manage their blood glucose and reduce the risk for the multiple complications
of diabetes. Additionally, a large number of these people take additional medication
for cholesterol control and for normalizing blood pressure. A high blood
glucose, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure is a formula for
disaster. The expense of doing the right thing could be overwhelming.
Fortunately, many of the desired medications have become generic and are
relatively inexpensive. But that can be carried too far. Some of the older
diabetes drugs are so cheap that many organizations insist that they be first
line. This is not always a desired path.
When a new drug comes on the market with compelling positive data it is usually very pricey, so the question an individual and society have to ask is what is the total cost of care over years if you take it, but more importantly, what is the total cost if you don’t? Once you start treating the complications, costs can skyrocket.
Something to think about.