Why is insulin and epinephrine more expensive in the United States than in Canada and the U.K?

Abstract

In the United States insulin and epinephrine injections are known for being more expensive compared to the United Kingdom and Canada. This paper aims to identify the main causes for the price discrepancy. They include higher rate of demand, the differences between healthcare systems, and the differences in pharmaceutical market structure in the U.S. compared to Canada and the U.K. In the U.S. there is a higher rate of individuals who have diabetes and allergies which is likely to increase the demand for insulin and epinephrine. Another factor that leads to the price discrepancy is the difference in healthcare systems in Canada and the U.K. compared to the U.S. Canada and the U.K. markets have institutions that regulate the prices of drugs for pharmaceutical companies unlike in the U.S