I am part of an underground market for drugs that looks a lot different from what you might imagine. It’s a network of Facebook groups and mutual aid organizations plus donors on Twitter that provide insulin and other supplies to people with diabetes.
The outrageous cost of insulin puts this life-sustaining medicine out of reach for many people, not just for those without insurance or people who are temporarily down on their luck. It also includes people with diabetes like me who are employed and have health insurance but who simply can’t afford to pay hundreds of dollars for an extra vial of insulin.