How to Obtain a Diabetes Rx With No Health Insurance

If you lack health insurance, every aspect of treating a chronic disease such as diabetes can be a challenge. Even after you have located a medical provider who can diagnose and treat you at a price you can afford, obtaining the medications you need can be difficult because of their cost. There is no one source than can help everyone get the medications they need for free or at low cost. Help is available, but from a variety of sources, and you will have to investigate to find the best way to get your prescriptions filled in your community.

Instructions

How to Obtain a Diabetes Rx With No Health Insurance

• 1

  Start with your doctor, nurse practitioner or other health care provider. They often receive free samples of medications from pharmaceutical companies, and if they have the right drug on hand, they can provide you with a supply. This is generally not a good long-term solution, because the medical practice may not always have samples on hand, but it can be a way to tide you over until you find a way to obtain your medications consistently.

• 2

  Look into free or discount medication programs offered by pharmaceutical companies for people without prescription drug coverage. A place to find information about such programs is the "Partnership for Prescription Assistance" at PPARx.org, sponsored by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America and member companies.

• 3

  Ask your doctor about generic drugs for diabetes. Generic drugs can be substantially cheaper than brand name medications, but not all brand name medications have a generic equivalent. If you are taking a brand name prescription with no generic alternative, your doctor may be able to move you to a different medication--one that has similar benefits and is available as a generic.

• 4

  Find out if there is a charitable pharmacy in your area. In some communities, nonprofit agencies run such pharmacies using donations of money and medications. In Cincinnati, for example, the St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy relies on drugs donated by pharmaceutical companies, doctor's offices and other sources. Ask your medical practitioner or call your local health department to find out if such a service operates in your community. These pharmacies focus on commonly prescribed essential medications, such as those used for diabetes.