Insulin cost per unit examples as of 01/28/2015

[BJM]

The up front cost of Lantus and Levemir results in sticker shot for lots of folks.
The way to look at it, though, isn't just that up front cost, it is the cost per unit of insulin. That is the best way to compare the costs of the insulins against each other.

So, I popped out to Google, and searched their shopping links for some examples of the various insulins available in the US.

And, here are some example costs per unit.

These are just examples. The numbers change all the time. And, ordering from Canada can be much less expensive than these US numbers. And costs will be different in other countries.

 

[KPassa]

That's brilliant, BJ! And you also want to factor in that the vial is usually only 50 usable units.

 

[BJM]

I note that you may not be able to use a full vial before it loses effectiveness.

 

[KPassa]

Ah! I didn't notice the scroll bar on this screen.

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

It's important to note there can be a huge price difference on insulin from one part of the country (USA) to another.

There can also be a big difference between pharmacies in a single city. For instance, in the area I live in the price difference for a 5 pack of lantus or levemir pens could be as much as $100 between pharmacies right across the street from each other. It's been like that for years.

This is why we've always encouraged our members to shop for the best prices every time they have to buy insulin. I would do a price check every time I needed a refill on Alex's insulin. I don't think I ever bought from the same place two times in a row.

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

I bought compounded PZI three times. The per unit cost was roughly half that of Prozinc. I never paid more than $50 for a ten ml vial, including overnight shipping from Texas to South Carolina. The last time I bought some was in November, 2013 however.

 

[Meya14]

We bought a levemir vial for about $50 less than what the table has listed. On a side note, a co-worker who has dogs with medical needs told me about AAA pharmacy discount program that includes per prescriptions. She said she saved quite a bit, so I signed up, but I have yet to use it. Hoping my syringes will be covered as well.

 

[BJM]

I said they were EXAMPLES people. Not written in stone always to be found numbers.
If you want to price compare in your own spreadsheet, you need these columns
mL | units per mL | cost | and then the formula: cost / (mL * units per mL)

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

Yes, BJM. You listed "examples" from Google. Thank you for the work and the formula.

However, real life examples and tips help a lot when contemplating cost. I hope others will add more real life info to this thread. Insulin has become so expensive. Caregivers need all the help they can get.

One thing I forgot to mention in my previous post was while initially expensive, a box of 5 Levemir pens usually lasted over a year with Alex... give or take... depending on the dose.

 

[Carl & Polly & Bob (GA)]

I said they were EXAMPLES people. Not written in stone always to be found numbers.
If you want to price compare in your own spreadsheet, you need these columns
mL | units per mL | cost | and then the formula: cost / (mL * units per mL)

Thank, BJ. I just wanted to add "PZI" because it wasn't on your list, and I think it's a suitable replacement for Prozinc for about half the cost. There have been mentions that the compounded PZI can vary from batch to batch, and I can't say it's true one way or the other. My first two vials came from VPA, and they no longer make it. But the 2nd vial I bought for Bob was never used, as he went OTJ before I emptied the 1st vial. The last one I bought two years later was from BCP, which is supposed to be the "best" and "most reliable" maker, but Bob crossed after just a few days from the time I got it, so I never really got a sense of how good it might be compared to the VPA PZI.