Prescription Requirements List
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Disclaimer: This list has been compiled for the use of anyone who wishes
to use it, for whatever purposes. I make no claims as to the accuracy of
any information contained herein.
Last updated: 27June96: Added information for Iowa, Mississippi, South
Dakota, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Costa Rica,
Philippines. Also changed the beginning and end sections
slightly.
Additions or corrections to:
[email protected] (Martha Gunnarson)
Still missing information from: Hawaii (syringes) and most of the rest
of the world.
Note that many (U.S.) insurance plans require prescriptions for these
supplies to be covered. This does not necessarily mean a prescription is
legally required.
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Note that many (U.S.) insurance plans require prescriptions for these
supplies to be covered. This does not necessarily mean a prescription is
legally required.
Prescription required for Insulin? Syringes?
United States:
Alabama NO NO
Alaska YES* YES*
Arizona NO NO (some pharmacies may require)
Arkansas NO NO
California NO NO (some pharmacies may require)
Colorado NO NO (some pharmacies may require)
Connecticut NO YES (can get 10 days worth
without prescription)
Delaware NO YES
District of Columbia NO NO (with DM ID or insulin purchase)
Florida NO Depends on the county, mostly NO, but:
YES Broward County
Georgia NO NO
Hawaii NO ???
Idaho NO NO (may ask for ID)
Illinois NO YES
Indiana NO NO (must sign a logbook)
Iowa NO NO
Kansas NO NO (most pharmacies, if purchased
with insulin)
Kentucky NO NO
Louisiana NO NO
Maine NO YES
Maryland NO NO (some pharmacies: must sign a
logbook)
Massachusetts NO YES
Michigan NO NO
Minnesota NO* NO
Mississippi NO NO
Missouri NO NO
Montana NO NO
Nebraska NO NO
Nevada NO NO
New Hampshire NO YES
New Jersey NO YES (might be waived with ID)
New Mexico NO NO
New York NO YES
North Carolina NO NO
North Dakota NO NO
Ohio NO NO
Oklahoma NO NO
Oregon NO NO
Pennsylvania NO YES
Rhode Island NO YES
South Carolina NO NO
South Dakota NO NO
Tennessee NO NO
Texas NO NO (doctor's permission required
-- may vary by region)
Utah NO NO*
Vermont NO NO
Virginia NO NO
Washington (state) NO NO
West Virginia NO NO
Wisconsin NO NO
Wyoming NO NO
*Alaska: One respondent reported that prescriptions are NOT required for
either insulin or syringes.
Minnesota: Some pharmacies may require a one-time only prescription for
insulin which has unlimited refills.
Utah: Some pharmacies may ask for a prescription, and some will not sell
syringes after 10:00 p.m., even if you have a prescription.
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Australia YES NO**
Austria YES NO
Belgium YES YES
Bulgaria NO NO
Canada NO NO (may vary by province)
Costa Rica NO NO
France NO [U100] YES
Germany YES NO
Ireland YES YES
Italy NO [U40*] NO
Mexico NO NO
Phillipines NO NO
New Zealand NO [U100#] NO (may require proof of diabetes)
Switzerland NO [U100] NO
UK YES [U100] NO## (may require proof of diabetes)
* U100 pens available in Italy
Caution: Some pharmacies may need to special order Humulin (including U.S.
pharmacies.)
** Australia: Prescription not needed for syringes with a National
Diabetic Supplies Card.
# New Zealand: Novo & Lilly available, Novo more widely used. One
respondent indicates prescription needed for insulin, but not for syringes.
## UK: One respondent indicates prescription required for syringes.
Note that names for short, intermediate, and long acting insulin vary from
country to country.