[Bunjee]

I just had my Novolog filled at Walgreens. It seems that the corporate office is now requiring that insulin fills do not include any wastage or overage. In other words, that 1-2 units of insulin you waste when you put in a new needle is no longer included in the calculation for your insulin. While this might not affect some people, others will run short. Instead of a box of pens, I received 3 pens. With my slight increase of insulin due to illness, I will run out in that 28 day calculation. Fortunately, I have a good buffer right now so it's not critical, but I'm going to have to have my endo increase my insulin to 'fake' my amount of insulin needed or I will run short after 6 months JUST on the wastage, not even including Memorial weekend food fun!

Apparently, other large pharmacies are doing the same.

 

[Bunjee]

Recently, the policy of all pharmacies has changed dramatically. Most of them require a prescription/permission from a doctor.

That sucks for you. I wonder why Australia suddenly started requiring it. Did they say? Here in the US, you can still get Lily brand (vials) without a prescription, although many don't know that.

 

[Bunjee]

I had a similar issue a few years back and was always getting my Doctor to renew my insulin prescriptions (the prescription is required for my health plan coverage which covers the full cost).

I eventually told my doctor I take more than what I actually take to compensate for the additional units that get lost every day. This seems to work.

The interesting thing, back in the days when my insulin was kept in bottles and you used syringes, I don't think there was as much insulin waste. The biggest drawback with the pens - you often will have left over insulin that doesn't quite meet your required dosage. So what do you do? Take two shots - one with the old pen and one with the new pen?

I throw my partially filled pens out now - I already average 4 - 5 shots per day - don't particularly care to give myself more!

I know this is an old post, but might help others as well. no way I would throw away any insulin! Even the 11 units left in your pen is about $15 worth of insulin here in the US and that's the cheap price. I got a box of syringes and use that to suck out the rest of my insulin so I only use one injection. Sometimes I have to save up several pens as in the case of long acting. Every state allows you at least some insulin syringes without a prescription, but if you need a box, you can buy on Amazon, Ebay or just have your doc write a script and buy them cash at Walmart. My brother had a ton of leftovers from when he used vials, so I'm using those now. Look for 3/16" length needle.

 

[Bunjee]

You can also get the Novolin (walmart only) for $25 a vial without a prescription.

Only in the US though and unfortunately, it doesn't include Levemir or Lantus which is the most commonly used long-acting today. Different countries have different rules. I can have insulin shipped from Canada with a prescription, but if I physically go there to buy a year's supply, I don't need one (I'm about 300 miles from the border).

 

[Bunjee]

I think I know where I'd plan an annual vacation for if I was on insulin.

Yep, I plan to renew passport next year (it's hopelessly expired now).