(WWJ) - For almost a million Michiganders, insulin is an essential part of their everyday lives, but as costs for the life-saving medication reach over $100 a bottle, Attorney General Dana Nessel said "enough is enough."
Her office announced on Wednesday a crack down on "excessive" insulin prices through Eli Lilly -- one of three major manufactures of insulin in the U.S. -- and pledged to investigate the role drug companies play when the price of their medications skyrocket.
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Govenor Gretchen Whitmer offered her support of Nessel's office, saying she looked foward to passing legislation to cap the cost of insulin.
“Too many Michiganders are forced to ration insulin or forgo it, putting their lives at risk," Whitmer said. "Some families spend thousands of dollars a year on insulin and prices keep going up—they’ve tripled from 2009 to 2019. Together, we can lower the cost of insulin, hold drug companies accountable, and save lives.”
The Centers for Disease Control said over 34.2 million Americans live with diabetes -- 865,000 people or 11% of diagnosed patients live in Michigan alone. The American Diabetes Association estimates medical bills for those with diabetes is 2.3 more than those who are not.
While putting a stop to rising costs in one thing, Nessel said her office also filed a petition and complaint to tackle previous court rulings in other cases involving the Michigan Consumer Protection Act (MCPA) that have allowed companies like Eli Lilly to get away with "egregious prices."
"While drug companies profit off of people’s health, they also benefit from a current market in which they control the pricing," Nessel said.
Nessel explained that court rulings in 1999 and 2007 gave protection to businesses over consumers when the court interpreted exemptions in the MCPA. Her office said they will challenge those rulings in order to hold Eli Lilly accountable.
"These opinions have served to end many consumer cases, and have prevented countless others from ever beginning. Both were wrongly decided," Nessel said.
The Attorney General filed both the complaint and the petition against Eli Lilly Tuesday afternoon.
For people who have been affected by the high cost of insulin, the Attorney General's website is available for those who wish to fill out a consumer complaint form.
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Nessel said her office looks to hear from other patients, pharmacists and health care professionals over rising drug prices.