Hugh,
I read your recent article on diabetes management with much interest, as I am a 64 year old diabetic myself. The problem with being insulin-dependent is access to insulin after things crash.
Walmart (of all places) sells Relion Diabetes management products, which include insulin over the counter with no prescription needed. Relion makes different insulins that are equal to the same insulins that sell for over $250 per bottle at the pharmacy.
Their insulins are very reasonable at $28.44 per 10ml vial. I went to my local Walmart in Michigan, and sure enough I was able to buy Relion Novolin R (to replace my Humulin R) with no questions asked!
The pharmacist told me I could buy up to four bottles at a time, and the expiration date of the product I purchased on 4/5/2017 is April of 2019! Relion has a full line of diabetes management products that are ridiculously inexpensive with no prescription needed!
A long term prepper could buy four vials of insulin every few weeks or months and build up a very nice supply that would last years.
In some states, like Indiana, a prescription is needed, but in many it is not. Check your local Walmart. – J.C.
That’s a pretty general statement on MDs; However, as a former school teacher who dealt with the special education department, I saw many students properly medicated for real medical issues, but I also saw many students whose doctors simply rubber stamped what the school or parent wanted without any real involvement with the children as a patient.
I have been a type 1, insulin dependant diabetic for a while; thankfully once daily Lantus and careful diet keeps my sugar levels manageable. My endocrinologist has been understanding, and wrote my scrip for 3x what I use a month, which has helped my stockpile.
That said, the info on Relion at Wal-Mart is helpful, I will add a caveat. Our bodies react differently to different insulins, and it will take about a week for you to gauge the differnce, and effect. It would be better to know this difference sooner rather than later – like after the SHTF. And, it goes without saying that you will need to stockpile your supplies, not just your meds. Also, in re-reading ‘Lucifer’s Hammer’; mention is made of Dr. Forrester being a diabetic, and knowing he could make insulin – by sacrificing one sheep a month…
Knowledge is power, for diabetics, knowledge is life. Thanks for sharing.
http://boisestatepublicradio.org/post/you-can-buy-insulin-without-prescription-should-you#stream/0
Found this article when trying to find out if I could buy insulin in Idaho. Probably a good read to understand the dangers of using without doctor’s supervision, but I’m not suggesting that all insulin be prescription only, like the article suggests. It is still good to see all sides. I’ve been wondering about the insulin situation ever since I read “One Second After”. While I don’t know any one who is insulin dependent(that I know of), I would be interested in storing some in the event that someone I know and love is or becomes insulin dependent.