I once had a dilemma where I needed a syringe to take my insulin, but I didn't have any with me. I live in New York and was able to legally go to a pharmacy and buy a pack of syringes without a prescription.
There are two purposes of this post. First, I want to spread the word you can do this in a time of need in New York. The other purpose is to find out what other states do this. Does your state allow this?
Yes we can buy syringes and human insulin without a Rx in Texas.
I was surprised to discover that this was common last time this topic came up here. My pharmacy in a rural area here in California told me it was "at the discretion of the pharmacist". One of the advantages of getting older is you get the benefit of the doubt when it comes to things like this. (even though I worked in a substance abuse program for seniors and know we are not all squeaky clean!)
I actually have a pack of syringes a TuD member sent me awhile back and they last forever because I so rarely need one. but I tossed it in my pack today as I was going to be away for a few hours and my blood sugars seem stuck over 200. Much easy to just take a shot if needed than change my set on the fly!
I've never been in this situation, but like Zoe said...I'm pretty sure here in California I shouldn't have too much trouble. I think that having a vial of insulin would prove to most pharmacists what your intentions are.
In a slightly unrelated note, I was on the side of the freeway with a flat tire a few years ago and a highway patrolman came to help. When he shined his light into my car he saw a syringe in my center console and started asking me a bunch of questions. I offered to show him my insulin and meter and he stopped looking at me sideways.
Same here (Oregon). Syringes and Regular insulin do not require a prescription.
In most every part of the US, insulin syringes are available without prescription. A perhaps little bit outdated chart is here: Insulin Syringe Laws by State
I know that for example in LA county, you have to sign a register to buy insulin syringes, but it's not too onerous.
And some of the states have rather silly laws (for example... if you are under 21 in Illinois, you are only allowed to have a max of 10 syringes. For someone on MDI, that's just 2 days worth.)
Also, pharmacists can be kinda capricious in deciding whether to sell you syringes or not, depending (in the end) on whether they like how you look or not. Hasn't been a problem since I am now a "respectable adult" but in my college years it was sometimes a problem.
I have bought syringes at Wal-Marts in both GA and SC without Rx
I went home to visit my mother one weekend years ago. When I got to her house, I realized I had no syringes. So I went to a local walk in clinic, waited in line for an hour and saw a doctor who took my word for it that I had diabetes. He gave me a prescription to take to the pharmacy. When I got to the drug store the pharmacist said all I needed to do is to see him first off and he would happily sell me one package of ten needles. Live and learn. It’s never happened to me since. What could have taken ten minutes took two hours.
Let's see...Iowa, California, West VA, Virginia that I know for sure over the last nearly 50 years, so things may have changed. I always carry a scrip with me for important all suuplies. such as test strip, insulin, syringes in an emergency. I tend to be a Boy Scout "Always prepared." I was surprised at the availability and it has not changed in a long time--1965 was my first need and I was in Venice Beach. CA, 13 years old, and I walked up, asked for the syringes and was handed them across the pharmacy counter without a thought.
But I ran out of synthroid once and had to jump through hoops to get a refill.
I have made it a habit ( as a pumper ), to carry one needle with me in my meter kit , including the bottle of NovoRapid ...it has served me well , when out and about and having an unexpected higher BG reading than I like . I throw the needle into the sharp container , when I get home and replace .
Indiana allows the purchase of syringes without a script
When I travel (especially overseas), in addition to carrying extra pump supplies, MDI backup (Lantus and Novolog pen cartridges) , syringes and pen needles, I carry undated prescriptions that my doctor gave me, just in case all goes wrong and I need to try to get insulin locally. In the US , it shouldn't be a problem as I would call the Dr's service and have prescriptions e-transmitted to a local pharmacy.