It is widely available, just not in the US
this post was submitted on 26 Nov 2025
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Were I am, you just get Insulin for free with a prescription from you Family Doctor, because we have a National Health Service.
Even without said prescription, it's only €70.
Americans are being thoroughly screwed, and it's very much on purpose thanks to the way laws and regulations around Healthcare were designed in the US (and, at the risk attractint the crowd throwing "bothsideism" slogans around to defend "their" "tribe", this is due to the actions of both US major parties) since in a real Free Market, Insuline over there should cost around the same as it costs over here without a prescription, not 10x more - without artificial market barriers there would be investors literally flying planeloads of the thing from Europe to US to make a killing out of buying it cheaply over here and selling it for "merelly" twice as much over there.
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In Canada it is still considered expensive, but not even close to $800/month. It's only considered expensive because most shit like that is free or a very nominal fee, but repeated need is what it is.
Is there any reason a diabetic has to get the newer patented formulas instead of the old one that the pic talks about which is regularly sold for around $25 a vial in the US without insurance?
I know the new stuff works faster and you don't have to worry about your diet as much so I'm sure it's much easier, but why would you have to die instead of just managing your diet and using the $25 stuff for a month in this emergency situation?
Don't get me wrong all medicine should be free and stuff but like, why die instead of switching to the cheap stuff and dietary management for a month?
Insulin is not permanently shelf stable, and will still expire in the fridge.
Diabetics usually start with a long-acting insulin to keep blood sugar from naturally rising plus a fast-acting insulin for corrections and to compensate for food.
The old style of just giving 2 long-acting shots of mixed insulin is mostly obsolete, except for legacy patients, some pregnant patients, and other special cases I can only theorize.
A good number of diabetics only use fast acting insulin in a pump, receiving microdoses every minute.
To switch brands of insulin, much less therapies in any circumstance requires a doctor's visit.
With all that said, the insurance company will often replace a medication in the event of an accident, typically only once a year.
Without that, a patient might be able to find a charity they will assist them.
You also may be able to travel to the next state over where the cost of insulin is regulated.
Failing all other options, it is better to check yourself in to the hospital as your sugar begins to rise and tell them that you cannot control your blood sugar.
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People respond wildly differently to different types of insulin and it isn't just a matter of switching and watching your diet. Too much and too little insulin can be deadly and it makes you feel like absolute shit.
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How is it even possible to afford $800 for insulin? It boggles the mind
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We should be thankful for those of us not born in a third world country like the USA. 😌🙏
No no this is a "there are starving kids in America" thing; for a good chunk of the third world this shit would be literally unthinkable.
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Yeah, just dismantle the state and give it to private companies... What could go wrong?
I really don't get it. If it was in the freezer, why will it be damaged when put back again? Is it that once defreezed some reaction goes on and shouldn't be stopped? I really don't get it. Would it be better to keep it outside the freezer once it warm up?
Freezing temps breaks down insulin and causes it to lose efficacy which less efficacy is something you don't want with something that keeps you alive
Methinks you read it wrong friend; it was stored in the fridge originally
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'Murica, fuck yeahhhh!