US: OTC Over the counter/no Rx required:
The insulins listed below need no prescription to be purchased in the US. Rule of thumb is that if it is an analog insulin, it will require a prescription. The beef and pork insulins of CP Pharma require Rx because they are not US-FDA-approved, and the veterinary insulins available in the US (Vetsulin, PZIVet), were FDA-approved as prescription-only medications.
Canada: OTC Over the counter/no Rx required:
In honor of the discovery of insulin in Canada by Banting and Best, Canadian law mandates that ALL insulins must be able to be purchased without need of a prescription.
UK/EU: In the UK and most other countries, ALL insulin is by prescription only. Insulins you see listed here would require a prescription outside of the US and Canada.
|
No Rx Needed-Insulin-Countries[1] | |
|---|---|
| Bulgaria | |
| Canada | |
| Costa Rica | |
| France | |
| Italy | |
| Mexico | |
| Philippines | |
| Puerto Rico | |
| New Zealand Some report having been asked for a prescription | |
| Switzerland | |
| Turkey |
Some countries also require a prescription for insulin syringes and/or pen needles.
|
No Rx Needed-Syringes-Countries[2] | |
|---|---|
| Austria | |
| Bulgaria | |
| Canada | |
| Costa Rica | |
| France | |
| Germany | |
| Italy | |
| Mexico | |
| Philippines | |
| New Zealand May need to show proof of diabetes | |
| Slovenia | |
| Switzerland | |
| Turkey | |
| UK May need to show proof of diabetes |
In the US, whether or not you need a prescription for syringes/pen needles is determined by state, not US, law. The laws of your state[3] will apply re: syringes/pen needles requiring a prescription. If you order syringes or pen needles online, the law of the state where you're ordering them from will apply. If you order from a business whose state does not require a prescription for syringes or pen needles, you will not need one, even if the laws of your state of residence say you do. Conversely, if you live in a state where there's no mandatory prescription for syringes or pen needles and order from a company in a state where a prescription is necessary, you will need one to do business with them.
The difference here, for those in the US regarding insulins and syringes is that federal law (US-FDA) regulates which insulins are prescription required, but state law governs whether one is needed for syringes and pen needles.
Even if you buy syringes and pen needles from a local pharmacy and don't live in a state which requires a prescription for them, the policy of the pharmacy itself may be to require a prescription for them.
See also category Rx Status for information not covered here.
References
All items (19)
