The Austin Project
Insulin access today. System change tomorrow.
The Austin Project is a founder-led Ontario initiative working to improve affordable access to prescribed insulin and advance a safe, regulated solution for unopened insulin waste.
Two complementary efforts
The Austin Project pairs an immediate insulin-affordability initiative with a long-term insulin-recovery and regulatory-change initiative.
Insulin Access Fund
Helping eligible uninsured and underinsured patients afford clinician-prescribed insulin through future manufacturer, donor, and pharmacy partnerships.
Learn more →Insulin Recovery Initiative
Advancing a regulated system that could prevent eligible unopened insulin from being unnecessarily destroyed.
Learn more →Why don't people just get insulin?
OHIP covers the doctor, not the prescription. For people without drug coverage, insulin comes with a price tag, a pile of hidden costs, and fears nobody talks about.
The costs stack up
Insulin itself, then test strips, sensors, needles, and fees. Diabetes Canada reports more than half of Canadians with type 1 diabetes pay over $3,100 a year out of pocket.
The coverage gaps
Gig workers, part-timers, people between jobs, newcomers in waiting periods. Ontario's public drug programs leave many working-age adults uncovered.
The fears nobody admits
Needle fear, stigma, and quiet rationing. Some people delay insulin for months because injecting themselves is terrifying, and they are ashamed to say so.
Our vision
A healthcare system in which no patient is denied prescribed insulin because of financial hardship and no safe, usable insulin is unnecessarily discarded.
Read our full mission →Get involved
We are seeking feedback and exploratory conversations with diabetes organizations, pharmacists, healthcare professionals, insulin manufacturers, and community advocates.
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