Humalog insulin, made by Eli Lilly, was released in 1996 at $21 a vial; that same formula is now sold at $275 a vial. Insulin makers and their allies blame Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) for driving up the price; however, across the board, each section of the supply chain saw an exponential increase in insulin shares and profit.

While manufacturers’ percentage of the price has decreased 23%, when you account for the increase in price of a Humalog vial, they’re making over 8 times more than they were in 1996.

Since a vial of insulin only costs them $6 to produce, their $129 share of the price is a 230% profit, which is why Human Rights Watch calls this a human rights abuse.