Grantmakers In Health’s Maya Schane spoke with Svetlana Hutfles of Insulin for Life USA (IFL USA) about the organization’s model to expand insulin and diabetes supplies access across the country, and how philanthropy can engage on this issue. The interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Can you give an overview of the work IFL USA is doing to address the issue of insulin access?

IFL USA addresses insulin and diabetes supply access through a practical, systems-level intervention: recovering and redistributing surplus, unopened, unexpired, donated insulin and diabetes supplies as in-kind grants to clinic partners who are saving lives every day.

We operate at the intersection of two realities: widespread insulin insecurity and significant medical waste. Our model bridges that gap by collecting donated supplies from individuals, pharmacies, manufacturers, and healthcare partners, then safely inspecting and redistributing them through a trusted network of clinics and health organizations.

Today, we support 53 clinics across the United States and partners in more than 25 countries. Since 2012, we’ve redistributed over 277,000 pounds of supplies that would otherwise go to waste, including more than 90 million units of insulin, helping sustain the lives of more than 57,000 people.

What may seem like a simple concept requires robust infrastructure to ensure safety, reliability, and continuity of care, but when done well, it delivers immediate, life-saving impact at scale.

How does IFL USA leverage partnerships—with clinics, community-based organizations, and individuals—to improve insulin and diabetes supplies access, and what makes these partnerships effective?

Partnerships are the backbone of our model. IFL USA does not deliver life-saving insulin and supplies in isolation; we integrate into existing systems of trust and care.

Our clinical partners, particularly those serving vulnerable and underserved populations, ensure that insulin and supplies reach patients within a continuum of care, not as a one-time donation. International partners and community-based organizations provide critical local knowledge, from storage capacity to patient education and treatment, helping ensure supplies are used safely and effectively.

Read the full article about expanding insulin and diabetes supplies access by Svetlana Hutfles at Grantmakers In Health.