Can you get cheap insulin from Walmart without prescription? Fact Check

A message online claims that those living in the United States can purchase cheaper insulin products from a local Walmart without a prescription. Insulin is a hormone generally prescribed to sufferers of diabetes.

TRUE, BUT LACKING CONTEXT

The message claims that non-prescription insulin can be purchased for $25 a bottle, substantially cheaper than most prescription insulin products.

Go to any Walmart Pharmacy and tell them what kind of insulin bottle you need to purchase. You do not need a prescription. Do not have them run it thru insurance. As an over the counter item, it costs $25.00 per bottle. My husband now buys 3 bottles for $75.00 which last him about one month. He does use his insurance to purchase the needles. If we went thru our insurance it would be over $400.00 a month for insulin.

The message is generally correct, but misses out some pertinent facts.

1. Insulin products are not available over the counter in certain states.

2. Many pharmacists may use their discretion when distributing insulin products over the counter.

3. The insulin products available over the counter are older products that are generally slower acting and switching to them could potentially cause some diabetes sufferers health issues, especially if they have not discussed the switch with their healthcare provider.

Walmart sells over the counter (OTC) insulin products under the ReliOn brand, which includes Novolin Regular (R) and Isophane Insulin (NPH)

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However these insulin products may act in a different way and at a different speed to prescription based insulin treatments which are likely to be more modern. As such, while they may be cheaper than prescription insulin, those considering using them should speak to healthcare professional beforehand to discuss potential differences in how they work and how that could affect the person taking the insulin product.

Jennifer Smith, a certified diabetes educator, says on the Insulin Nation website –

Having an insulin back-up plan in case you find yourself with an outdated prescription or short on funds is important. It would be beneficial to discuss with a health care provider how to go about using these generic OTC insulins before you have to use them, however.

And as we have stated above, insulin is only available over the counter in certain states in the US, and as such this message will not be relevant to everybody.