AdvertisementWhy Is Insulin So Expensive In The U.S.?March 19, 2015Anders KeltofacebookEmailA nurse in 1938 checks the amount of insulin in a needle. For many decades, the only insulin available to people with diabetes came from the pancreases of cattle or pigs. Insulin from animals is still available outside the U.S. — and cheaper than a recombinant DNA version. (Bettmann/Corbis)