Mail Order Insulin Delivered

The insulin that my endocrinologist ordered arrived via FedEx today. I was surprised at how big the box cooler was. I guess it was similar to receiving and order from Freshly or other refrigerated goods. Per my FedEx app, the package was 15″ x 11″ x 10″ and weighed seven pounds. All that for a few insulin pens. Also, who paid for FedEx overnight shipping?

The package was a styrofoam cooler like you find at gas stations or dollar stores. It felt pretty sturdy, and the lid fit very tightly. When you open the cooler, there were six reusable icepacks, and a plastic bag with three boxes of insulin pens. Like I guessed previously, I received only one box of Toujeo with three pens, and two boxes of Humalog with five pens in each box.

Again, I do not know why they sent me only two boxes of Humalog. Their website did say I was out of refills, which is strange since the endocrinologist sent new prescriptions out last week.

I think I will keep the styrofoam box/cooler and stick it in the frunk (front trunk) of my car to carry stuff, or throw icepacks in it if I want to carry refrigerated or frozen groceries in the future.

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Thinking about this pharmacy model some more, it does seem very wasteful. What if I ordered one box of insulin pens each week (multiple prescriptions)? Will they send me multiple large heavy boxes? I think the answer is yes. Last time I refilled normal prescription pills with the online pharmacy, I messed up and clicked check-out (one button check-out no less) rather than add to cart. It means I placed three orders of one medication each, instead of one order of three medications. The cost to me was the same, but the pharmacy sent three padded envelopes via FedEx. That seems like a programming error. They should at least group medication for the same person on the same day. I am not sure what the solution is however. If the insurance will let me get three month’s worth of medication each time for one co-pay, i will gladly go to my local pharmacy. Right now, I end up paying three times the co-pay asa well as having to go there three times.

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Here are all the old empty insulin pens. I looked into recycling them but every website says to just dispose in regular trash.