Insulin is not optional for those who are managing diabetes. Prices have been going up, causing hardship for those who depend on the medicine to survive.

Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel has launched an investigation into the Eli Lilly pharmaceutical company, invoking the Michigan Consumer Protection Act to target “grossly excessive prices”, according to a release from Nessel’s office.

Part of the action is a reconsideration of two Michigan Supreme Court rulings that limit the use of the Consumer Protection Act. A change to the rulings will allow Nessel to devote the Consumer Oversight Division to the investigation.

In explaining the action, Nessel said, “The average out-of-pocket cost of a single vial of insulin is nearing $100. No Michigander should have to face that kind of cost for life-saving medicine. While drug companies profit off of people’s health, they also benefit from a current market in which they control the pricing. Enough is enough.”

Several bills are currently making their way through the legislature that would cap the cost of insulin at $50 per month per user.

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Submitted by State Rep. Andrew Beeler, R-Port Huron:

“One term can make quite a difference in how a governor wants to be perceived. Three years removed from her failed proposal for a massive gas tax increase, two years removed from adding debt without the Legislature, and less than one year removed from draconian health department orders, we are seeing a new Gov. Whitmer.

“The frustrating hypocrisy of her claim to be focused on ‘kitchen table issues’ was on full display. Michigan families in Sanilac and St. Clair counties don’t ask for government subsidies for big businesses at the table; they talk about the thousands of dollars Whitmer’s unemployment agency is demanding; they talk about the failure of leadership of the health department in failing to track thousands of nursing home deaths; and they talk about how expensive their heating bill will be without Line 5.

“For months, the governor openly opposed the small-business support that she took credit for last night. She has fought the legislature on broadening Michigan’s toolkit to make our economy better for small businesses. She has vetoed common-sense tax cuts for businesses. To quote the governor herself, ‘You can listen to what someone says, but to know the truth — watch what they do.’”

Submitted by the St. Clair County Health Department:

Since November 2020, monoclonal antibody therapy has been a safe and highly effective treatment for high-risk individuals who are experiencing mild to moderately severe COVID-19.

The FDA recently announced that Sotrovimab is currently the only remaining effective monoclonal antibody treatment against the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Sotrovimab is currently in short supply across the United States, including Michigan and therefore, strict criteria for eligibility is currently in effect.

Priority eligibility criteria for therapeutics, including antiviral medication and monoclonal antibody therapy will remain in effect until supply is able to meet demand and will be periodically reviewed as appropriate:

• Any age (per applicable EUA or FDA approval) with a moderate to severe immunocompromised condition regardless of vaccine status or

• Age>75 YO and not up to date on COVID vaccines or
•  Age 65-74 YO, not up to date on COVID vaccines, and with MI priority risk factor as described above or
• Pregnant and not up to date on COVID vaccines

Dr. Annette Mercatante, Medical Health Officer at the St. Clair County Health Department stated, “Our local community infusion center, operated by Tri-Hospital EMS, has had to shift with this change. Quantities of Sotrovimab are limited and a strict criteria for eligibility is being used to maximize its use. We will expand this criteria as soon as possible to include a larger group of people.”  Mercatante continued, “Talk to your doctor about what treatment options are best and available for you. The St. Clair County Health Department (SCCHD) continues to strongly recommend getting vaccinated and boosted for the best protection against the virus.”

Email COVID-19 questions to covid19@stclaircounty.org or call (810) 966-4163. For more COVID-19 information visit the health department website www.scchealth.co and social media @scchdmi.