My pharmacy is now offering 90-day perscriptions which are "mailed" to you home address. Here's my question for any of you using this program (and I'm asking here because the clerks in the pharmacy I use have no idea).

How do they insure that the insulin is kept cool throughout the delivery process?

I'd hate to get on this program only to find out that my insulin is sitting in my mailbox when it's 100 degrees outside during the summer. Any info you can shed on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Michael

I have had that option and have never used it. It just wasn't worth saving some money since it would make me wonder about the viability of the insulin.
I know a lot of people do use mail orders for insulin, I think they ship it with cold packs, but that would worry me too since freezing will ruin insulin just as much as heat will.

Linda B.

I could save money by doing it through Medco and I'm sure they pack it properly but I get it from my local pharmacy. Of course, I don't know where it's been before it gets there.

I have used a mail order pharmacy (three of them) over the last 15 years through my health insurance that covers RX meds. Originally, insulin was was packed in little styrofoam ice chests packed with synthetic ice packs and shipped UPS Next Day Air. My current mail order pharmacy takes the cheap way, and ships via Express Mail to my P. O. Box, also using ice packs, but in uninsulated cardboard boxes. My Post Office calls me when a shipment comes in. In those 15 years, I have never received insulin that did not work properly. But----

On one occasion long ago the package delivered on a 110 degree day had melted ice packs in it. I called the pharmacy in Phoenix, AZ, and complained to the head pharmacist. He just laughed, and said "So, I guess that you think that insulin is always cold when we get it". I made him send out another shipment, and threw the melted one away.

The first mail order pharmacy that I used was Walgreen's in Phoenix, second one was ExpressScripts, also in Phoenix, and the one that I use now is CVS Caremark.

Whatever pharmacy that you have services from will ship insulin in ice packs whether via UPS or FedEx Air, or via Express Mail. The only danger that you might face is that all of the delivery methods are likely to just leave the package on your doorstep, or Post Office, regardless of how hot or cold the weather happens to be. None of them requires a signature. So your package may cook or freeze all day if you are away during delivery.

As I said, in all these years, I never received any bad insulin, and the one package that seemed risky I made the pharmacy replace.

Not having to drive to the drug store every time you need insulin is a good thing, and getting 90 day's worth at a time is another good thing. At least, IMO.

If you decide to try the mail order service, just call the dispensing facility and ask them what steps they normally take to insure safe delivery.

I have been using Medco for over 10 years with no problems. They pack my insulin in a plastic bubble wrap sleeve
with frozen ice packs. This is the same way your local pharmacy receives it there is no difference. The only problem
you could have is if they leave it on your front porch during the summer. If you tell Medco it was hot when you received
it they will re-ship the order, they have no other choice.

I have them ship it to my work address and someone at the front desk signs for it and puts it in the office fridge.

JohnG

I've been getting my insulin via mail order for the last few years. My insurance originally used Caremark and it was great. The CVS bought Caremark and it all went downhill. My insurance then switched to NextRx (which I think was recently bought by someone else, but it's still called NextRx) and they do an excellent job. It's shipped in a square standard cardboard box that is lined on all 6 sides with thick styrofoam. The insulin is in a plastic bag and that's wrapped in heavy brown paper. There's an ice pack on the bottom and one on top. It's shipped Next Day Air and when I get it the ice packs are still frozen. I get 3 months worth at a time for 2 co-pays. I had too many fights with pharmacists about quantities so this saves me a lot of time, money & headaches from arguing. I also get my Advair & Levoxyl mail order.

I get my insulin on 90 day mail order from Medco. Absolutely no problems. I'd hate to pay the co-pay
getting it from a pharmacy. I'll stick with the mail order.

JJ

Ditto on the mail order insulin. I have been using it for 20 years with never a problem. Currently use Medco but have used other companies. I also know there are several on here and other sites that live in Florida, Texas, Southern Cal and also have no problems. Some of those have it sent to their place of work 'just in case.'