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Comment by ssl232 | Hacker News Reader

Is it possible (feasible, legal) to buy insulin from countries where it's cheaper?

If you're near the Canadian border, I've heard some anecdotes about folks crossing to get cheaper insulin. I've not done it, though was on the fence about doing it.

Also, I know that some makers ( Eli Lilly in particular ) also offer need-based aid programs to provide insulin. If you reach out to them and they're manufacturing, I believe you can get the insulin at near free if not free. ( This is also true for many medications that fall into the commonly-used category, you can explore manufacturer sites to see if they provide aid for a particular drug that is in your list )

Corollary to this: if you have insurance, it's also worth asking your insurance provider if they know of any aid programs that can assist. I was shocked to discover Humana has a team that will help you discover aid programs to cover the rest of the cost that Humana might not cover.

Obvs it would be great if they covered 100%, but if you're trying to cover your ass right now, it's worth asking your provider about.

And as another note, if you qualify for aid programs, and they are not oversubscribed, then you should sign up even if you can afford not to - if you feel bad, donate the difference to an appropriate charity or cause.

Because the number of people using aid programs is a major factor in getting them identified and improved.

I'm a Michigander and while I've never brought insulin, I've brought unapproved painkillers across the border regularly. My uncle (T1 diabetic) has brought insulin.

So some more ancedotes to confirm.

Not really anecdotal, Bernie Sanders did "lead" a "caravan" of US citizens into Canada for cheaper insulin.

https://web.archive.org/web/20220521183320/https://www.nytim...

I am aware of situations where ppl have crossed over legally into Mexico from the US to purchase insulin at a substantially reduced cost.

Why is it cheaper elsewhere and what purpose do these barriers serve? High drug costs seem to be fixable in part by making US drug makers compete with foreign competition that can pass some standards of manufacturing.

That's a big part of the problem. Price gouging combined with a legislative monopoly, paid for by "contributions" to legislators.

Legislators with health industry contacts are the only healthcare users in the US whose effective copays are negative.

Yes, there are sites that will sell US citizens insulin from Canada. It's not legal, but it's doubtful that it's enforced very often.

My endocrinologist recommended I take a trip to Nogales to get supplies back when I lived in Tucson. AFAIK that's perfectly legal to do.

Possible, yes, legal....

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