Insulin: A Hundred-Year History

In 1922, insulin was discovered by a team of researchers in Toronto, which was a medical breakthrough of the century. It improved the condition of diabetic patients on the brink of death, but injections must be taken for life, and it remains inaccessible to those who need it most due to elusive prescriptions, uneven availability, and sky-high prices.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 23 June 2023
Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

In 1922, an extraordinary team of researchers in Toronto achieved one of the most significant medical breakthroughs of the 20th century: the discovery of insulin. Their remarkable achievement appeared nothing short of miraculous. When administered to diabetic patients on the verge of death, their conditions rapidly improved, leaving those present in awe. It was as if they had witnessed a resurrection.

However, it's important to note that this breakthrough came with its own set of challenges. Insulin injections must be administered for life, and without them, symptoms quickly resurface, often with fatal consequences. While a lifetime of insulin treatment presents significant difficulties, it also presents opportunities. In this enlightening history, Stuart Bradwel delves into the story of a drug that has challenged many of the fundamental assumptions upon which medical practice is based, both within and outside the clinic.

Bradwel juxtaposes the professional narrative with the subjective experiences of patients, providing a nuanced account of the impact of insulin. He highlights the ways in which the drug has transformed the lives of individuals with diabetes, offering them a newfound sense of independence and quality of life. However, Bradwel also reminds us that the centenary of this "wonder drug" should not be celebrated without a critical eye. Insulin remains inaccessible to many who need it most, due to elusive prescriptions, uneven availability, and exorbitant prices. This leads to rationing, desperate do-it-yourself research, and development, leaving patients around the world to fend for themselves.

In the face of rhetoric promoting bootstraps and "Pharma Bro" capitalists, patients are left to navigate a complex healthcare system on their own. The journey to fully realizing the extraordinary promises made by the discovery of insulin is still a long one, particularly in the 21st century.

This remarkable story is also available as an audiobook, allowing listeners to immerse themselves in the history and significance of insulin even more profoundly.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 234 x 158 x 31 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509550722