Oklahoma attorney general considers suing drug makers over insulin prices

An estimated 390,000 adults across the state have diabetes.

By Ria Joseph | The Center Square contributor

Published: January 7, 2024 8:25pm

(The Center Square) -

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is seeking outside counsel for a possible lawsuit against insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers over the cost of the drug.

Oklahoma has a higher rate of diabetes than the national average, according to the 2023 Oklahoma Diabetes Prevention Report. In the United States, 10.6% of the population has been diagnosed with diabetes. In Oklahoma, it's about 13% or 1 in 8 individuals.

An estimated 390,000 adults across the state have diabetes. One million people are considered prediabetic, where the disease can develop within five years. About 1 in 3 diabetics in the state take insulin, the report said.

The death rate for Oklahomans with diabetes is also higher than the national average.

The report said, "It is the eighth leading cause of death, with 1,552 Oklahomans losing their lives to diabetes related causes. Individuals with diabetes have a two-fold higher risk of death than individuals without diabetes.”

A report by the state Department of Health using 2021 figures notes that the disease tends to be highest among individuals earning the lowest income, are the least educated, Black, or American Indian and are over 65 years old.

“I will not allow price-gouging and greed to put in harm’s way innocent Oklahomans who are dependent on insulin to survive,” Drummond said. “I will fight to hold accountable anyone who has hiked insulin prices illegally and prioritized profits over patients.”

The request for proposal calls for “for outside counsel to investigate and potentially pursue legal action related to wrongful conduct on the part of insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers that resulted in artificial and unnecessary increases in the price of insulin.”

The attorneys will receive a contingency fee based settlements the state receives. The contingency fee cannot exceed $50 million, according to the request for proposal.

Interested attorneys and law firms have until January 26 to respond.