HEALTH Where to Buy Cheapest Injectable Insulin?

[Sub-Zero]

I have a friend in Georgia who is looking for the cheapest place to buy injectable insulin (both the once-per-day and that taken before meals).

Is there any place online to buy it cheaper from a different country?

I know the pills prescribed for it can be purchased from India (Buy Diabetes Medicines Online | Medicines For Diabetes | ADC).

 

[SlipperySlope]

WalMart sells it over the pharmacy counter for $24 bucks in most states. Three different types.

 

[Griz3752]

WalMart sells it over the pharmacy counter for $24 bucks in most states. Three different types.

IF, you have "the card".

 

[WildDaisy]

Have them sign up for GoodRx - it is a free discount Prescription service. That will help some. Also, have them look at their state insurance to see if they qualify.

If you put the specific drug they are on on the GoodRx site, and their zip code, it will tell you their local places and what the prices are at each place near them so they can find the lowest price.

https://www.goodrx.com/go/sem-presc...8BUfmOmLLrK5wR2TpWQaAp2VEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Sub-Zero]

IF, you have "the card".

I'll bite; what is "the card"?

 

[WildDaisy]

GoodRx card. Good at Walmart, Walgreen, CVS, PriceChopper, and a whole bunch more pharmacies across the country. You can usually find a card dispenser at your doctors offices - at least all my doctors in my area have a little business card holder at the front test and free to take one.

 

[SlipperySlope]

You don't need a card here. You can get the syringes too at under $20 for a box of 100. (Even if you did need a GoodRX card it's a free card anyway.)

 

[summerthyme]

IF, you have "the card".

Are you thinking Sam's Club? No card required for WalMart.

Summerthyme

 

[parsonswife]

IF, you have "the card".

Anyone can buy insulin N or 70/30 $24 at Walmart. Cheapest place that I know of. Drug comp is discontinuing Levemir next month

 

[Txkstew]

I'm not Diabitec, just curious, how many doses do you get for $24?

 

[BuffaloJo]

I'm not Diabitec, just curious, how many doses do you get for $24?

Insulin has 1000 units per bottle. Dose of insulin varies by type of insulin (rapid or long acting), patients diet, and the patients blood sugar levels- typical dose ranges from as little as 5 units up to over 50 units. Again depending on the patient and type of insulin used, you may have to inject 3 to 4 times daily or as little as once daily.

 

[coalcracker]

I'm not Diabitec, just curious, how many doses do you get for $24?

It varies from individual to individual, as BuffaloJo stated above.

One method is to establish a ratio. The diabetic will try to match the number of insulin units to the number of carbohydrates consumed. 1 unit for every 1 carb would be a high dose. 1 unit for every 10 carbs would be more common. (This would be for fast-acting insulin taken prior to every meal). Physical activity/Exercise is also a factor that must be considered.

A Continuous Glucose Monitor is a true game changer for anyone with diabetes. It allows the diabetic to constantly monitor what is going on within the body. It’s health value simply cannot be overstated. Pure gold!

 

[Tristan]

I have a friend in Georgia who is looking for the cheapest place to buy injectable insulin (both the once-per-day and that taken before meals).

Is there any place online to buy it cheaper from a different country?

I know the pills prescribed for it can be purchased from India (Buy Diabetes Medicines Online | Medicines For Diabetes | ADC).

There are multiple "Insulins".

Walmart now carries a generic for Novolog and Tresiba, in the pen form, if those are what have been prescribed. Much less expensive than formerly was.

They also have the older style short and long(er) acting in vials, iirc they are before meals and 2x daily longer-term dosing.

Probably best to stick to what the Physician expects them to be taking, if possible. The action over time curves are different for the various versions of insulin...

I would not trust ordering any insulins from "another country" as it is required to be maintained at a low, stable temperature to assure the quality.

Y'all probably know all that. Sorry if being pedantic.

 

[Tristan]

I'm not Diabitec, just curious, how many doses do you get for $24?

Nor do you ever want to be one!

 

[Hermantribe]

I’ve bought the insulin at Walmart- just ask the pharmacist. No big deal, and around $25. At that price, I keep a bottle in the fridge in case I run short one month.

 

[Griz3752]

Anyone can buy insulin N or 70/30 $24 at Walmart. Cheapest place that I know of. Drug comp is discontinuing Levemir next month

We tried that about a year ago. we were running back & forth to Savannah GA while her mom was making her exit from this life and I thought I better check the process out. We'd been caught short earlier on when she took a bad turn and it cost $1,000.00 - 1box of 5 Novalog and the same of Lantus - both generics.

So, skeptic that I am I contacted Wal-Mart Pharmacy to find out what we needed to bring to purchase said drugs: ID, prescription Info, valid payment and 'the card' according to someone named Sayed.
OK 1-3 are pretty normal but what's "the card"?

I have 6-8 emails to&from Sayed who became Hassan (likely same guy as Sayed is a given name & Hassan is a surname
******************************************
To Wit:

ab road <abroadwarriorc@gmail.com>​

18 Jul 2023, 14:13

At Walmart, you can buy insulin for $25 without a prescription (“over-the-counter”) and without insurance. It comes in a 10mL vial and is called Novolin ReliOn Insulin. It is offered in both regular human insulin (“R” – for use at mealtime) and NPH (“N” – a longer-acting basal insulin). You can also get Novolin at CVS Pharmacy for $25 per 10 mL vial through the Reduced Rx program. It takes just seconds to enter your email and receive a discount card (which you can print or show digitally) that you can then use immediately at 67,000 participating pharmacies nationwide, including CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, and Walmart.

to help

Please advise
AB Road
*****************************************************

help@customercare.walmart.com​

Wed, 19 Jul 2023, 13:10

to me

Recently you requested personal assistance from Walmart Customer Care. Below is our response and a summary of your request.
Reference # 230718-69318-7261-0000
Response:
7/19/2023 1:09:49 PM (Central Time)
Hello AB,

Thank you for getting back to me.

AB, I'd like to inform you that the OTC card is a health's benefits card which you can use for your Pharmacy Orders furthermore, for more Pharmacy related queries you can reach out to us at Robot or human?

Sincerely,

Hassan
Walmart Customer Care

******************************************
******************************************
******************************************
This was July last year so, things may have changed since then but my experience was as I detailed.

Quite happy to fwd those emails to anyone who provides a TB2k ID and an email

 

[Griz3752]

I'll bite; what is "the card"?

That was my question

 

[Anti-Liberal]

A Continuous Glucose Monitor is a true game changer for anyone with diabetes. It allows the diabetic to constantly monitor what is going on within the body. It’s health value simply cannot be overstated. Pure gold!

I use the Freestyle Libre 3 sensor, been using it for a couple months. I refused to stick myself for years so I never checked my sugar. Now I just look on my phone.

 

[SlipperySlope]

There are a few states and areas of the country that do not allow OTC w/o prescription insulin. Maybe you live in one of them? More states actually require prescriptions for the syringes than do for the insulin itself.

 

[Ractivist]

Not sure if I missed the answer to how many doses, or days will one $24 vial last on average? How long will insulin keep refrigerated?

 

[RB Martin]

I've been prescribed Soliqua. Apparently, it's at the other end of the pricing scale!
These prices are for a 5-week supply through GoodRx.

 

[Kathy in FL]

I have good insurance but my medication costs run around $900/month out of pocket. And yes, these come from Walmart. However, because I am not medicare age I get to pay what others do not. This does not include the nutritional supplements that I take because the gastroparesis inhibits absorption.

Linzess ($536)
Metoclopramide ($4)
Tresiba ($200)
Novologue ($140)

I have been told that the cost of Tresiba and Novologue are about as low as they are available.

 

[Sub-Zero]

All I can tell you is that she pays $537/mo and the insurance pays that much as well.

I'm wondering if it would make sense for me to check into Canada to see if it's over the counter, or have her get a prescription from a Canuk doctor.

I've heard it's much cheaper there.

 

[Cyclonemom]

Wow. I think I'll stick with my only meat diet. Way cheaper than getting type II diabetes (aka carbohydrate toxicity) than to pay those prices!

 

[amazon]

All I can tell you is that she pays $537/mo and the insurance pays that much as well.

I'm wondering if it would make sense for me to check into Canada to see if it's over the counter, or have her get a prescription from a Canuk doctor.

I've heard it's much cheaper there.

Is she close to meeting her deductible? Factor that in to your equation. Once she hits her max she shouldn't have to pay more unless/until she hits coverage gap, depending on insurance plan. Please let her Rxing doctor know. If she is not medicare there are plans you can apply for help within certain income limits. If she's low income apply for LIS. If she's not low income have that discussion with her doctor and let him/her develop a plan in her budget. This is very common. Please work with your doctor and don't go rogue trying to adjust meds/doses yourself. There is usually a team of people who help with these things in a hospital system: medication assistance team with PharmD, SW's, Care Coordinators. See if she'll reach out to see what's available. If she's already done that. Let the MD know and let them build a tx plan based on her needs and finances.

 

[Redcat]

Try the SingleCare card at Walmart. With that card a 5-pack of my generic Lantus is $104.00

 

[Kathy in FL]

Wow. I think I'll stick with my only meat diet. Way cheaper than getting type II diabetes (aka carbohydrate toxicity) than to pay those prices!

Most T2 is a function of genetics and not just diet, or other types of diseases that contribute tonits development.

Mine was primarily caused by stress. I had it under control with stress reduction techniques until the septic shock last June. That infection did more damage than just sending my T2 over the edge. It caused a cascading series of issues that has left me with gastroparesis. The diet for gastroparesis is counterintuitive for diabetes. You can’t win for losing at a certain point.

 

[Griz3752]

Not sure if I missed the answer to how many doses, or days will one $24 vial last on average? How long will insulin keep refrigerated?

Depends on your prescribed dosage. Each vial or dosimeter is 100mls so if your dose is 10ml, than 10 doses. If your on a sliding scale driven by the read out on your metering device it won't always be an even number.

 

[Griz3752]

Most T2 is a function of genetics and not just diet, or other types of diseases that contribute tonits development.

Mine was primarily caused by stress. I had it under control with stress reduction techniques until the septic shock last June. That infection did more damage than just sending my T2 over the edge. It caused a cascading series of issues that has left me with gastroparesis. The diet for gastroparesis is counterintuitive for diabetes. You can’t win for losing at a certain point.

Very true; diet can help control the disease but pretty much everyone I know w/T2 requires meds. Not entirely sure why I require less meds than my wife but I suspect it may have something to do w/ discipline and choices.

She says I'm "just lucky."

 

[parsonswife]

We tried that about a year ago. we were running back & forth to Savannah GA while her mom was making her exit from this life and I thought I better check the process out. We'd been caught short earlier on when she took a bad turn and it cost $1,000.00 - 1box of 5 Novalog and the same of Lantus - both generics.

So, skeptic that I am I contacted Wal-Mart Pharmacy to find out what we needed to bring to purchase said drugs: ID, prescription Info, valid payment and 'the card' according to someone named Sayed.
OK 1-3 are pretty normal but what's "the card"?

I have 6-8 emails to&from Sayed who became Hassan (likely same guy as Sayed is a given name & Hassan is a surname
******************************************
To Wit:

ab road <abroadwarriorc@gmail.com>​

18 Jul 2023, 14:13

At Walmart, you can buy insulin for $25 without a prescription (“over-the-counter”) and without insurance. It comes in a 10mL vial and is called Novolin ReliOn Insulin. It is offered in both regular human insulin (“R” – for use at mealtime) and NPH (“N” – a longer-acting basal insulin). You can also get Novolin at CVS Pharmacy for $25 per 10 mL vial through the Reduced Rx program. It takes just seconds to enter your email and receive a discount card (which you can print or show digitally) that you can then use immediately at 67,000 participating pharmacies nationwide, including CVS Pharmacy, Walgreens, and Walmart.

to help

Please advise
AB Road
*****************************************************

help@customercare.walmart.com​

Wed, 19 Jul 2023, 13:10

to me

Recently you requested personal assistance from Walmart Customer Care. Below is our response and a summary of your request.
Reference # 230718-69318-7261-0000
Response:
7/19/2023 1:09:49 PM (Central Time)
Hello AB,

Thank you for getting back to me.

AB, I'd like to inform you that the OTC card is a health's benefits card which you can use for your Pharmacy Orders furthermore, for more Pharmacy related queries you can reach out to us at Robot or human?

Sincerely,

Hassan
Walmart Customer Care

******************************************
******************************************
******************************************
This was July last year so, things may have changed since then but my experience was as I detailed.

Quite happy to fwd those emails to anyone who provides a TB2k ID and an

 

[parsonswife]

MyLocal Walmart has never asked for a prescription for insulin N. Nor ID. My daughter or myself just walks up, asks for it and pays. Self pays.dont use Insurance or Medicare

 

[Griz3752]

MyLocal Walmart has never asked for a prescription for insulin N. Nor ID. My daughter or myself just walks up, asks for it and pays. Self pays.dont use Insurance or Medicare

The situation or regulations may have changed since July 2023. I'm only commenting on my experiences at that time. Given where we are today I'm not surprised there's a lack of continuity in our experiences and the fact we're in TN vs the PNW may enter into it as well.

I'm glad you can get your meds so easily and at the promised cost.

 

[Sub-Zero]

Most T2 is a function of genetics and not just diet, or other types of diseases that contribute tonits development.

Mine was primarily caused by stress. I had it under control with stress reduction techniques until the septic shock last June. That infection did more damage than just sending my T2 over the edge. It caused a cascading series of issues that has left me with gastroparesis. The diet for gastroparesis is counterintuitive for diabetes. You can’t win for losing at a certain point.

Exactly!

Sometimes the universe plays a game of eenie-meanie-minie-mo... And you are it!

There's nothing you could have done to cause, or prevent, what you get pinned with. And all the asking and demanding "why?!" won't ever be answered.


You just deal with it. That's all you can do.

 

[BuffaloJo]

Depends on your prescribed dosage. Each vial or dosimeter is 100mls so if your dose is 10ml, than 10 doses. If your on a sliding scale driven by the read out on your metering device it won't always be an even number.

NO! NO! AND NO! You just killed the patient or yourself. Each vial contains 10 ml or 1000 units of insulin. Give a patient 10 ml of insulin and he is dead.
If your dose is 20 units the you get 50 injections per vial. If your dose is 50 units you get 20 injections per vial. 10 units you get 100 doses. I would not use insulin if the vial has been opened for 30 days or more.

 

[Kathy in FL]

NO! NO! AND NO! You just killed the patient or yourself. Each vial contains 10 ml or 1000 units of insulin. Give a patient 10 ml of insulin and he is dead.
If your dose is 20 units the you get 50 injections per vial. If your dose is 50 units you get 20 injections per vial. 10 units you get 100 doses. I would not use insulin if the vial has been opened for 30 days or more.

I think Griz meant flexpens which is 100. Most people get about a week out of a flexpen unless they have really high doses

 

[BuffaloJo]

If you all think this is confusing years ago there was 40, 80 and 100 unit insulins. And each of the insulins required a special syringe. Talk about a mess. Overdose and under dosing was common. They drug companies discontinued the 40 and 80 unit insulin many years ago.

 

[BuffaloJo]

To help everyone here, if they qualify, here is the Novo/Nordisk website that will help with various meds-including Ozempic and many other diabetic meds and even pen needles or syringes. If you have medicare and your income(for a family of 2) is less than $81,760 you qualify.

Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP) | NovoCare®

Apply for the Novo Nordisk Patient Assistance Program (PAP) to see if you qualify to receive your Novo Nordisk diabetes medicine at no cost.

www.novocare.com

products covered:

https://www.novocare.com/content/dam/novonordisk/novocare/forms/PAP_Product_List.pdf

Doctors seldom know of these programs.

 

[Kathy in FL]

If you all think this is confusing years ago there was 40, 80 and 100 unit insulins. And each of the insulins required a special syringe. Talk about a mess. Overdose and under dosing was common. They drug companies discontinued the 40 and 80 unit insulin many years ago.

You think that is fun, the flexpens do not all work the same. Some you press the button, and they shoot the insulin in fairly automatically. Then you have the flexpens that you have to make sure to keep the button depressed so the insulin goes in. Then you have the hyper fancy flexpens on things like Monjouro (the once-a-week variety) that really makes taking the shot easy, but that stuff is like $1500+ for four shots plus it doesn't work for everyone or the side effects are so dangerous you are stuck doing it some other way (that's me, I can't take Monjouro, Ozempic, etc).

Then there are those of us for whom the side effects of the insulin almost border on it not being worth it ... weight gain, mood alteration, gut issues, etc and all of the other yada so not fun.

I am hoping that now that I have a plan for the gastroparesis that I can find a way to get off the insulin. I may have to take some form of pill for the remainder of my life but I'd prefer that to the side effects of the insulin. But it won't be Metformin that nearly killed me with mood alterations. I was so depressed I almost needed hospitalization until we figured out what was going on.

Everyone is different. My reactions to T2 meds is on the extreme end, but not as bad as I've witnessed in others. You just have to find what works for you.

 

[Dennis Olson]

I didn’t read the whole thread. Recently FJB ordered that companies price their insulin low wenough for everyone to afford. I believe that order has gone into effect.

 

[packyderms_wife]

I didn’t read the whole thread. Recently FJB ordered that companies price their insulin low wenough for everyone to afford. I believe that order has gone into effect.

And as a result several brands of injectable insulin will soon no longer be available.