Three and a half years ago, my youngest son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes just months before his fourth birthday. Since that diagnosis, for the rest of his life, he will have to inject insulin to stay alive.

Insulin is required for a Type one diabetic (and some Type 2 diabetics) just to stay alive. Fast acting human analog insulins like Novolog and Humalog and long acting insulins like a Tresiba, Lantus, and Levemir aren’t available without a prescription. For a Type 1 diabetic, going without insulin for just a few hours risks diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening emergency. 

There are many situations that can prevent access to insullin. Things like getting too warm, freezing, accidental breakage of a vial, or simply just running out of the tightly rationed supply of this life saving hormone your insurance company allows you to have. 

I am asking Congress to allow all insulin, especially fast acting human analog insulins like novolog and humalog to be sold over the counter at pharmacies.

There is zero abuse potential for insulin and the consequences of preventing its sale are much higher than allowing it.

Many diabetics try to use over the counter insulin like Regular or NPH insulins in emergency situations which can be dangerous. Allowing diabetic patients to purchase the insulin they’ve been using for years is safer and absolutely needed. 

The inaction of congress and the US FDA will continue to cause preventable emergencies which result in avoidable costs for emergency care. Additionally, it will prevent unnecessary loss of life which is a very real possibility when both Type 1 and insulin dependent type 2 diabetics are unable to obtain the insulin quickly and without unnecessary paperwork.