Rethinking Healthcare Through Decentralized Science

What if diabetics collectively owned insulin?

Jesse Hudson, Molecule

Imagine a world where patients collectively own the production and distribution of critical medicines.

This kind of development, driven by the emergence of decentralised science and powered by decentralized technologies, could revolutionise not just the pricing and accessibility of drugs like insulin, but also reconfigure the governance and distribution mechanisms of the therapies so many across the world are reliant on.

In essence, this model is about more than just managing a drug; it’s about redefining the relationship between patients and their essential medicines, fostering a healthcare environment that is equitable, responsive, and community-centric.

Frederick Banting, one of the co-discoverers of insulin said in 1923 “Insulin does not belong to me, it belongs to the world.” They sold all of their patents to the University of Toronto for $1 each.

Fast forward 100 years and we find ourselves in a radically different landscape, where the altruistic intentions of Frederick Banting and his colleagues seem distant from the reality of today’s insulin market.

Despite their vision of making insulin a globally accessible resource, the medication has become mired in a web of high pricing and accessibility challenges, often out of reach for those who need it most.

This stark contrast calls for a re-evaluation of how essential drugs like insulin are managed and distributed in the future.

The advent of DeSci prompts this thought experiment: as Jesse Hudson suggests in the quote above, what if the very individuals most affected by this crisis — the diabetic community — could reclaim control over their lifeline?

The current insulin landscape in the United States is marked by high prices and significant accessibility issues, profoundly impacting those reliant on this life-saving medication.

Problem 1: Escalating Insulin Prices

Current Issue: Insulin prices have skyrocketed in the U.S., making it unaffordable for many, even those with insurance.

DeSci Solution: By leveraging blockchain technology, a DeSci approach could introduce transparent pricing models. This would allow for community-driven price setting, potentially stabilizing or reducing costs based on collective decision-making rather than corporate profit motives.

Problem 2: Insurance and High Out-of-Pocket Costs

Current Issue: Insurance complexities lead to unequal access, with some facing prohibitive costs.

DeSci Solution: A decentralized model could offer a more uniform access system, irrespective of insurance status, or move products out of the insurance mechanism entirely. Community funds, raised and managed through the blockchain, could subsidize costs for those in need, ensuring equitable access for all.

Problem 3: Rationing Creates Health Risks

Current Issue: High costs lead to dangerous rationing practices among patients.

DeSci Solution: Community governance in DeSci could prioritize health outcomes over profits. By collectively managing insulin supply, perhaps even a basic guaranteed supply, the community could ensure adequate distribution to prevent rationing and associated health risks.

Problem 4: Complex Manufacturing and Supply Chain Issues

‍Current Issue: Insulin’s sophisticated biotech production process (using recombinant DNA in yeast) contributes to its high cost and complex supply chain.

DeSci Solution: Through a DeSci model, there could be a shift towards more transparent and efficient supply chain management. Collective ownership might also foster innovation in production methods, potentially lowering costs and enhancing supply chain resilience.

Envision a future where diabetics take charge of their destiny through collective insulin ownership, powered by blockchain. This shift from centralized control to a patient-driven model promises a healthcare revolution, placing management and governance of insulin directly in the hands of those who depend on it.

At the heart of this transformation is blockchain’s decentralized structure, democratizing the insulin supply chain. This model is not just about affordability and access; it’s a radical rethinking of pharmaceutical dynamics, prioritizing patient welfare over corporate profits. Through collective decision-making on pricing and distribution, the diabetic community can ensure fair access and cost-effective solutions.

Governance through Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) empowers each community member with a vote in critical decisions, from setting insulin prices to selecting research projects. This engagement means that diabetic needs directly guide medication management.

Further, integrating advisory panels of medical experts ensures informed, balanced decisions. These panels, motivated by smart token-based incentives, align professional insights with the community’s priorities, merging real-world patient experiences with essential medical expertise.

This approach signifies a power shift, transforming diabetics from passive consumers to active, empowered participants in their health management. It opens doors to community-funded research, paving the way for innovations in diabetic care that truly resonate with patient needs.

As we reflect on the journey of insulin from a gesture of humanitarianism to a commodity entangled in complex market dynamics, we are called to revisit Frederick Banting’s original vision: A world where insulin is for the people.

Of course this opens up a much wider question — how might the wider adoption of decentralised models in healthcare transform our approach to other essential medicines, treatments and services, breaking down barriers and fostering a more inclusive and equitable global health community?

The community-driven funding models and decision-making processes pioneered by initiatives like VitaDAO, are the start of a paradigm shift in how essential medicines are developed and distributed.

Just as VitaDAO empowers communities to directly fund and influence longevity research and drug development, a similar model could enable the diabetic and other patient communities to take charge of insulin production and distribution.

This could mean not just more accessible and affordable therapies, but also a broader range of research initiatives directly targeted at care improvements, guided by those who have their greatest stake in success — the patients themselves.

Such a model could be the key to unlocking a future where healthcare is more democratic, patient-centric, and responsive to the needs of those it aims to serve.

Got thoughts? Let us know on X at @bionicdao_.

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