As part of Blink Health's ongoing commitment to support people who are living with diabetes, the #TreatType2 program is designed to help the largest population of people managing this condition. Of the nearly 29 million Americans with diabetes, approximately 95 percent have been diagnosed with type 2. [1]
The $10 million commitment is based on Blink’s cost to purchase the medication and represents savings for consumers of up to $80 million, based on the retail prices of these medications for one year.
“Diabetes is a growing epidemic that affects 1 in 11 Americans, and Blink Health is committed to doing all it can to help patients manage this chronic illness,” said Geoffrey Chaiken, Co-Founder and CEO of Blink Health. “We have seen far too many people who are struggling to afford prescription medication, and we’ve launched this program to help address the problem one patient at a time.”
In April, Blink Health raised $90 million to drive innovations that accelerate its mission of making prescription medications affordable and transparently priced for everyone in the U.S. With this $10 million commitment, Blink Health is using a substantial portion of these funds to directly help hundreds of thousands of people living with diabetes, who have health care costs 2.3 times greater, on average, than those without diabetes. [2]
Chaiken added, “Blink Health is committed to supporting people with diabetes through the #TreatType2 program and through our groundbreaking insulin discount program with many of Eli Lilly’s insulin products. If you have diabetes – or if you know someone who does – sign up for Blink Health today. When you use Blink Health, you are joining a growing network of Americans who are tired of overpaying for their medications. Together, we are able to negotiate with pharmacies to determine one low price for each medication that is accepted at over 57,000 pharmacies nationwide. The more people who join the ‘Blink Health Nation,’ the better our overall discounts will be.”
Information About Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic condition in which the body’s ability to produce or respond to the hormone insulin is impaired, resulting in abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates (foods that become sugar in the body) and elevated levels of glucose (digested sugar) in the blood and urine. Diabetes is categorized as type 1, aka juvenile diabetes, or type 2, which starts later in life. Untreated diabetes creates blood vessel damage, poor circulation that can lead to loss of limbs, as well as blindness and other grave consequences. The vast majority of people today have type-2 diabetes, which is treated primarily with medications that regulate blood sugar. People born with type-1 diabetes must take insulin to regulate their blood sugar.
Information About Discounted Insulin Available Through Blink Health
Blink Health is also working on solutions to lower the price of insulin. As announced in December 2016, Blink Health and Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE: LLY) have entered into a first-of-its-kind access program to offer a 40 percent discount on Lilly insulins, including Humalog, one of the most widely prescribed branded insulin medications. Blink Health is pursuing similar arrangements with other pharmaceutical and healthcare companies to offer discounted medication and supplies.
Attendance at American Diabetes Association 77th Scientific Sessions
Representatives of Blink Health will attend the annual American Diabetes Association 77th Scientific Sessions, starting Friday, June 9, where clinical advances will be announced. Healthcare providers in attendance who are interested in learning more about Blink Health and the #TreatType2 program can visit Blink Health at the San Diego Convention Center, Booth #1655.
