Since late February, the United States and Israel have been at war with Iran and its regional allies. For months of armed conflict, and now under a fragile ceasefire, access to insulin, glucose self-monitoring supplies, and mental health care has become more critical and difficult for people who depend on it every day. We heard from four women living with type 1 diabetes in Iran who asked us to share about what they are seeing on the ground.
The price of a single insulin pen has skyrocketed, in some cases by several times, in just a matter of weeks due to the changed exchange rates for many imported medicines. Insurance coverage has not kept pace and patients are left paying a much larger share of a medicine that was already expensive.
“The chronic anxiety affects mental health, glycemic control, and quality of life,” the first woman told us. “It cannot be measured in dollars or vials, but it is just as real.”
Many insulins are now no longer available, particularly in smaller cities and rural areas. “In major cities, insulin is still available, though with difficulty,” shared another woman. “In smaller cities and rural areas, access remains severely limited. Some patients travel hours to find a pharmacy that has any insulin at all.” Importing companies say that they intend to continue bringing insulin into the country regardless of the situation, but with the fragile ceasefire, and unpredictable future, no one can guarantee a stable supply.
“Managing diabetes alongside a war is like carrying a burden heavier than before,” the third woman explained. “In the midst of fear and despair, when we are most likely to neglect ourselves, diabetes reminds us to get up, keep going, and be strong.”
The economic strain reaches beyond insulin alone. Families across Iran have to choose between food, other supplies, or diabetes medicines and supplies. “Due to the lack of government currency allocation for medicines and diabetes supplies, the prices of insulin and diabetes-related equipment have more than doubled,” said the fourth woman. “Many families can no longer afford insulin, and even purchasing test strips has become very difficult.”
The third woman put the moment in a longer context. “To us diabetics, ‘war and challenges’ is a familiar term,” she said. “The war we face today, and the world outside, is somewhat similar to our years-long battle for access to modern, insured medicine and equipment. Now, in the midst of conflict, we have learned to fight for our yesterday, our today, and our tomorrow; fighting for a better life with diabetes in Iran.”
The economic strain reaches beyond insulin alone. Families across Iran have to choose between food, other supplies, or diabetes medicines and supplies. “Due to the lack of government currency allocation for medicines and diabetes supplies, the prices of insulin and diabetes-related equipment have more than doubled,” said the fourth person we heard from. “Many families can no longer afford insulin, and even purchasing test strips has become very difficult.”
“The people of Iran do not desire war or the destruction of any nation or community,” concluded one of the women. “We yearn for stability, prosperity, and harmony.”
Diabetes does not pause during humanitarian crises, conflict, currency shocks, or war. Insulin is not optional. For the estimated 5.5 million people (opens in a new tab) in Iran living with diabetes, stable access to essential medicines and supplies is a matter of survival. These women asked us to make sure the world knows what people with diabetes in Iran are living through right now.