Diabetes

Why We Care

Endocrinologists are often on the frontlines of the all-consuming, complex diabetes public health crisis. The Endocrine Society works to make a positive difference in the lives of patients with diabetes, and advocates for access to affordable care and diabetes supplies, and better funding for research focused on diabetes and its comorbidities. Learn more about this growing epidemic, its staggering costs, and who it disproportionately affects by downloading our print-ready resources linked below. Participate in our advocacy efforts to lower the cost of insulin.

• Success! Thanks to our advocacy, the Special Diabetes Program (SDP) was included in a health legislative package, which passed the House on Wednesday, March 6, and is expected to pass the Senate on the morning of Friday, March 8. The Congress agreed to extend SDP through December 31, 2024 and provide a $10 million increase for each component of the program – type 1 research at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and type 2 prevention and treatment programs for Alaska Natives and American Indians.

Position Statements Regarding Diabetes

• Diabetes in the Affordable Care Act
• Increasing Insulin Affordability
• Statement for the Record, Senate HELP Committee hearing: "What is Fueling the Diabetes Epidemic?" (December 14, 2023)

Diabetes Drug Shortages

The Endocrine Society is aware of several diabetes drug shortages affecting people with diabetes in the United States. We have contacted the Food & Drug Administration, manufacturers, and the Congressional Diabetes Caucus to learn more details and to urge the shortages be resolved.  See below for updates.

Lilly provided a recent statement to alert patients and providers about potential supply chain issues impacting some pharmacies across the country. While Lilly indicates that all insulin products are currently available, some pharmacies may experience intermittent access issue. Lilly encourages checking with other pharmacies or temporary consideration of other delivery options such as pre-filled pens if necessary in the interim. For more details, visit the Lilly page on Humalog.

Lilly also continues to update information regarding supplies of Zepbound (tirzepatide) alerting patients and providers that while the 2.5mg dose is now available, additional dose options will be limited through the 2nd quarter of 2024. Detailed information and updates will be provided on Lilly's Zepbound page.

Novo Nordisk reports that the shortage of Ozempic has been resolved. If you are currently still experiencing a shortage, please let us know by contacting advocacy@endocrine.org.

Novo Nordisk has also discontinued Levemir.

For more information about prescription drug shortages or to report a prescription drug shortage, please visit the FDA drug shortages page. 

Resources

• Diabetes Research
• Diabetes Facts and Figures
• Diabetes Primer
• Special Diabetes Program Flyer
• Support the INSULIN Act in the Senate
• Support Comprehensive Insulin Affordability Legislation in the House

Recent Events

• We held a Diabetes Hill Day advocacy event on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Members met with Congressional staff to discuss the Society’s diabetes-related issues and policy priorities, including funding for the Special Diabetes Program (SDP). This effort was successful, with Congress agreeing to extend SDP through December 31, 2024 and provide a $10 million increase for each component of the program – type 1 research at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and type 2 prevention and treatment programs for Alaska Natives and American Indians.
• We held a Diabetes Hill Day advocacy event on Monday, April 17, 2023. Members met with Congressional staff to discuss the Society’s diabetes-related issues and policy priorities, including the Special Diabetes Program, diabetes research, and diabetes prevention.  
• We held a virtual Congressional briefing on March 2, 2022, on "Risk of Diabetes After COVID-19 Infection" Watch the recording. 
• We held a virtual Congressional briefing on November 19, 2021, on "100 Years of Insulin: Progress Made & What's Next." Watch the recording.
• We recently asked endocrinologists across the country to share stories concerning their patients’ lack of access to affordable insulin. Read them here.