Source: WECT
WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) – A nationwide insulin shortage has been affecting millions of people for over a month now. Companies say they’re getting back on track after some supply chain issues, but some type 1 diabetics are still struggling to fill their prescriptions.
Right now, most pharmacies are able to accommodate partial refills, but that can turn into patients rationing insulin to try and make it last over a longer period of time. Dr. John Parker, a well-known endocrinologist with Wilmington Health, says that is something you never want to do, but he understands the panic that can set in for those who don’t know when they can fill the rest of their prescription.
“Generally, we’re going to be able to rationally just solve the problem, and sort of take [the problem] away from someone who’s emotional at that moment and panicked. So again, don’t panic. Let us do the worrying for you and solve the problem,” Dr. Parker said.
This current shortage affects patients using vials of Humalog and NovoLog, so Dr. Parker says having an insulin pen as a backup is a good idea if you’re on an insulin pump.
“If folks are using insulin pumps, they are accustomed to taking the insulin from the vials. If push comes to shove, you certainly could remove the insulin, just draw it out of a pen. It’s the same insulin barring certain exceptions,” Dr. Parker said.
The first thing you should do when you run into problems with getting your insulin is communicate with your doctor. They can help you come up with a temporary plan or treatment option until you’re able to fill your prescription.
“Speaking of getting in [touch] with the staff, ask them [if] they could switch to maybe another type of similar insulin?” Dr. Parker said.
Dr. Parker says most people go to the big box store pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens, but he says if you can’t find insulin there, call around to some of the smaller, locally owned pharmacies.
“My advice to folks has been, you know, to check to check with the pharmacies and see if they’ve got the insulin pens for the same strength,” Dr. Parker added. “But, you know, if they can’t find their insulin at their usual pharmacy, then really, they should try other types of pharmacies in the region because they would have different distribution networks, particularly the small or non-big box pharmacies.”
As we are a month away from hurricane season, Dr. Parker says now is a good time to think about your medication backup plan in case a major storm could delay or prevent you from getting your lifesaving medication.
“I think you’ve got to have a plan B, an emergency plan,” Dr. Parker said.
Dr. Parker says if you need help coming up with a backup plan, talk to your doctor about your options.
“I just think communication is key. I think planning, I think understanding that you’ve got a clear strategy to assure that you’re going to have your insulin treatment and monitoring, as you would hope to under any circumstances,” Dr. Parker said. “So, we want to make sure that we understand what the alternatives are, we don’t want – I don’t want my patients to have to feel like they’re in this by themselves, either. So, if we need some assistance from physicians and medical teams, then please reach out to us.”
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