|
Since
most diabetics must travel for work and pleasure, I am pleased to
include this abbreviated outline of the world's prescription
requirements for insulin and for syringes. It has not been updated
since 1996 and I would appreciate your help in updating it. Many US
MDs don't even know that neither insulin nor syringes require
prescriptions in most of the world, but then most MDs can't even
distinguish Type 1 from Type 2 diabetes.
Sadly
our data is ancient and Diabusiness is changing laws faster than we
can follow. Please advise me on any of the states and countries
listed and on the non-listed countries! dggroves@earthlink.net
Highlighted
entries are so
blinded by the "war on drugs" that they are happily
killing diabetics.
***** Prescription Requirements List *****
Short Editorial: Many
think that insulin is a prescription drug here in the US. It is not;
it never has been. Beef, Pork, Beef-Pork, and the synthetic
"human" insulins have never required a prescription. The
unnatural synthetics, Lantus, Humalog, and Novolog, however, do
require prescriptions. Perhaps because they cause cancer or death?
Disclaimer: This list has been compiled for the use of
anyone who wishes to use it, for whatever purposes. I make no claims
as to the accuracy of any information contained herein. [Check the law before you go! ed]
Last updated: 27June 96,
unless otherwise noted: Added information for Iowa, Mississippi,
South Dakota, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Philippines.
Also changed the beginning and end sections slightly.
The original author has
requested not to be identified, so please send your additions or
corrections to David Groves dggroves@earthlink.net.
Thank you.
Still missing
information from: Hawaii (syringes) and most of the rest of the
world. Note that many (U.S.) insurance plans require prescriptions
for these supplies to be covered. This does not necessarily mean a
prescription is legally required.
|
United
States:
NOTE: Humalog, Novolog, and
Lantus all require Rx in all states in the US.
|
|
Prescription required for:
|
Insulin
|
Syringes
|
Comments
|
|
Alabama
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Alaska
|
YES*
|
YES*
|
Uncertain. |
|
Arizona
|
NO
|
NO
|
(some pharmacies may require)
|
|
Arkansas
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
California
|
NO
|
NO
|
(some pharmacies may require [CA specifically exempts "known
diabetics" from the RX requirement])
|
|
Colorado
|
NO
|
NO
|
(some pharmacies may require)
|
|
Connecticut
|
NO
|
YES
|
(can get 10 days worth without
prescription) |
|
Delaware
|
NO
|
YES
|
. |
|
District of Columbia
|
NO
|
NO
|
(with DM ID or insulin purchase)
|
|
Florida
|
NO
|
YES Broward
County
|
Depends on the county, mostly NO for
both, except for syringes. |
|
Georgia
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Hawaii
|
NO
|
???
|
. |
|
Idaho
|
NO
|
NO
|
(may
ask for ID)
|
|
Illinois
|
NO
|
YES
|
.
|
|
Indiana
|
NO
|
NO
|
(must
sign a logbook)
|
|
Iowa
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Kansas
|
NO
|
NO
|
(most
pharmacies, if purchased with insulin) |
|
Kentucky
|
NO
|
NO
|
8/02/02 Discussion with pharmacy reveals
KY is ok and does NOT require Rx for Insulin or Syringes,
though they do require them for Lantus, Novolog, and Humalog.
7/30/02 we are advised that Kentucky law may now require Rx
for insulin and syringes. May vary by region. |
|
Louisiana
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Maine
|
NO
|
YES
|
. |
|
Maryland
|
NO
|
NO
|
(some
pharmacies: must sign a logbook)
|
|
Massachusetts
|
NO
|
YES
|
. |
|
Michigan
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Minnesota
|
NO*
|
NO
|
. |
|
Mississippi
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Missouri
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Montana
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Nebraska
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Nevada
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
New
Hampshire
|
NO
|
YES
|
. |
|
New Jersey
|
NO
|
YES
|
(might be waived with ID)
|
|
New Mexico
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
New York
|
NO
|
YES
|
. |
|
North Carolina
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
North Dakota
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Ohio
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Oklahoma
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Oregon
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Pennsylvania
|
NO
|
YES
|
. |
|
Rhode Island
|
NO
|
YES
|
. |
|
South Carolina
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
South Dakota
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Tennessee
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Texas
|
NO
|
NO
|
(doctor's
permission required -- may vary by region)
|
|
Utah
|
NO
|
NO*
|
. |
|
Vermont
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Virginia
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Washington (state)
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
West Virginia
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Wisconsin
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Wyoming
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
| *US Notes: |
|
Alaska: One respondent reported
that prescriptions are NOT required for either insulin or
syringes. |
|
Minnesota: Some pharmacies may
require a one-time only prescription for insulin which has
unlimited refills. |
|
Utah: Some pharmacies may ask for
a prescription, and some will not sell syringes after 10:00
p.m., even if you have a prescription. |
|
Pharmacists are NOT usually lawyers.
|
|
|
Other
Countries: |
|
Prescription required for:
|
Insulin
|
Syringes
|
Comments
|
|
Australia
|
YES
|
NO**
|
. |
|
Austria
|
YES
|
NO
|
. |
|
Belgium
|
YES
|
YES
|
. |
|
Bulgaria
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Canada
|
NO
|
NO
|
(may vary by province)
|
|
Costa Rica
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
France
|
NO [U100]
|
YES
|
. |
|
Germany
|
YES
|
NO
|
. |
|
Ireland
|
YES
|
YES
|
. |
|
Italy
|
NO [U40*]
|
NO
|
. |
|
Mexico
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Netherlands
|
YES
|
YES
|
|
|
New Zealand
|
NO [U100#]
|
NO
|
(may require proof of diabetes)
|
|
Phillipines
|
NO
|
NO
|
. |
|
Switzerland
|
NO [U100]
|
NO
|
. |
|
UK
|
YES [U100]
|
NO##
|
(may require proof of diabetes)
|
|