Another special report on the insulin access issue.
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I have three suggestions that might help, depending on your circumstances -
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If you have reasonable prices for your insulin via insurance, ask your doctor to write a script for a larger quantity than you actually use so you build up a buffer in case your supply is interrupted for some reason (change in pharmacy benefits or formulary for example). I have done this with Humalog and have a nice buffer.
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Instead of going to Mexico or Canada in person, consider using a Canadian mail order pharmacy. I use one of these pharmacies for my epilepsy drug, also outrageously priced in the US and not covered by my insurance. They have Humalog for $50/vial and Fiasp for $70/vial. I haven’t used them for insulin but I trust them based on my prior experience.
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Ask your endo or CDE for insulin samples. The manufacturers generally give them ample sample supplies. I now use Fiasp, not covered by my Insurace, and get it from my CDE. I don’t use much and have been able to get all I need for nothing. If that well dries up, I’ll switch to Canada.
Of course the best remedy is revising the whole pricing system, but who knows when that will happen.
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Are you able to share your Canadian source for ordering?
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I think @Paytone is referencing this pharmacy: https://rxcanada4less.com/
@Mila, your link is broken, I think.
In addition, the Minnesotans are going on a trip North again:
June Caravan to Canada
Are you Sick of the High Cost of Insulin in the US; Buy Insulin for Less in Canada
— FREE Bus Leaves Friday, June 28th @ 7 a.m. CT; Returns Sunday, June 30th
Join Quinn Nystrom (MN Chapter Leader), as I co-lead a group in partnership with T1International and Health Care Voter from Minnesota to London, Ontario, Canada to raise awareness about insulin affordability, and to purchase insulin that costs a 10th of the price! An added bonus is that we’ll be going to The Banting House which pays homage to the discovery of insulin almost 100 years ago. The bus will make stops in Madison, WI, Chicago, IL & Lansing, MI to pick-up other participants.
Deadline to register: Wednesday, June 19th at midnight
Click the link for the itinerary and information about accommodations and other costs (bus is FREE, and we have hotel scholarships if money is a factor for going on the trip). Just hit reply to this e-mail to ask questions about that if interested.
Details of the Weekend Trip:
Host Contact Info: Quinn, MNinsulin4all@gmail.com
For More Info. and to Register: https://actionnetwork.org/events/june-caravan-to-canada
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Here’s the link
It’s the same company as the link @mohe0001 provided, but a sub site dedicated to insulin with useful information on how they handle temperature-sensitive medicine shipments to the US.
Many of the other on-line pharmacies won’t ship insulin to the US or are less transparent about their shipping methods.
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Great! Thank you and I have seen the video on shipping very helpful. I have seen references to this in other places so it’s reassuring to see another person vouch!
Thanks for posting about this new Minnesota/Canada insulin caravan. This is exactly the kind of social event that builds an effective movement. Plus it sounds like loads of fun with an extra dose of meaningful activity thrown in.
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I buy all of my insulin in Canada and make periodic trips from Massachusetts to the Familiprix - Chantal Richards pharmacy just a few hundred feet from the border in Stanstead VT. If anyone is interested in a caravan from my general area (MA, CT, VT,NH) I would be happy to help in the planning and organization of such an event. French is my native language, having learned English in school so can easily help with the translation process to make sure there are few to no slip ups in ordering insulin at the pharmacy and am also totally familiar with the laws governing importation of insulin from Canada to the US for personal use. Insulin costs about 90% less from the same factory bought in Canada rather than the US.
Please send me a PM if interested and if there is enough interest, perhaps we will start a separate thread for this project.
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I’ve always wanted to go to the Banting House. I wish I had a valid passport. I’ll get one.
I am interested
Please tell me what PM means.
I am excited for this trip!
Karen
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PM is private message.
Click on users icon, and you will see option to send message.
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Private Message (PM): Click on CJ114 icon and a pop up box will appear. In the upper right hand corner of the pop up box there will be a button with an envelope that says message. Click on that button.
Another box will appear. For title put Insulin Caravan. Then below in the text area, just let me know you are interested and some idea of where you live. (City/State).
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Can’t find the place for the pm
Return message
Can I call you or email you.
@Karen551, How to PM
Method 1.
Step 1.) Click CJ114’s photo in his post. (highlighted here with a red circle).
Step 2.) Click Message button (highlighted with the red square).
Method 2.
Step 1.) Click your own picture at the top of the TuDiabetes webpage.
Step 2.) Click your own name
Step 3.) Click on Messages.
Step 4.) Click on New Message
Step 5.) Start a New private Message by typing his name into the box. If you type CJ, you should see him pop up in a list and can just select his name. Type a title into the message title box. Type your message. Click the blue send button.
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I need to get more info before I decide
Nice documentation of the messaging process.
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@mohe0001 Oh man, we are leaving for vacation that night and will be out of town, or else I would have met you all at the Banting house. Too bad. Have a safe trip!!
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I want to go but I need a passport. I will try and get one for their next trip.
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Is passport required if you have an enhanced US drivers license?
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Enhanced is just fine. " * An EDL/EID can be used as a cross-border travel document (in lieu of a passport) to re-enter the U.S. by land and sea, from Canada, Mexico, and some countries in the Caribbean."
Your right, I might be able to get one of those faster. Although, it took 3 months last time I got my license renewed. Maybe I’ll order both.
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