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CGM Over The Counter?

J

JediMindTricksWS

Member
Messages
5
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi all, Im a 41yr old newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic found out about 3 weeks ago.

I havent had any issues with my insurance in getting insulin and other meds, but for some reason its taking much longer to get approval for a continuous glucose monitor. The convenience of having a CGM would be very helpful.

My question is...can I purchase a CGM at a pharmacy (walmart, cvs or walgreens?) Or does this still require a DRs presciption?
 
Hi,

Welcome to the forum @JediMindTricksWS .
Love the name.. ;)

From my understanding (I’m in the UK & have them via the NHS for the past few years.)
But previously I was self funding over the counter at the British equivalent pharmacy department in certain stores without a script at the time.
 
JediMindTricksWS said:
Hi all, Im a 41yr old newly diagnosed type 1 diabetic found out about 3 weeks ago.

I havent had any issues with my insurance in getting insulin and other meds, but for some reason its taking much longer to get approval for a continuous glucose monitor. The convenience of having a CGM would be very helpful.

My question is...can I purchase a CGM at a pharmacy (walmart, cvs or walgreens?) Or does this still require a DRs presciption?
Click to expand...
Hi there @JediMindTricksWS , I'm in Canada and I can get my CGM's over the counter at any pharmacy. I can get them with or without a prescription. Mine happen to be on prescription, however, as I'm not on insulin my insurance company will not cover them. I'm sure it works the same on your side of the border.
 
Melgar said:
Hi there @JediMindTricksWS , I'm in Canada and I can get my CGM's over the counter at any pharmacy. I can get them with or without a prescription. Mine happen to be on prescription, however, as I'm not on insulin my insurance company will not cover them. I'm sure it works the same on your side of the border.
Click to expand...
That’s interesting. When I was self funding as a T1 in the UK I filled out a VAT (Value Added Tax.) exempt form which ASDA scanned a separate product code on the till, cutting the tax..

I’m not sure if there are similar exemptions on @JediMindTricksWS can exploit in their part of the world to avoid the “droids the government is looking for..?” (To loosely quote Star Wars.)
 
Jaylee said:
That’s interesting. When I was self funding as a T1 in the UK I filled out a VAT (Value Added Tax.) exempt form which ASDA scanned a separate product code on the till, cutting the tax..

I’m not sure if there are similar exemptions on @JediMindTricksWS can exploit in their part of the world to avoid the “droids the government is looking for..?” (To loosely quote Star Wars.)
Click to expand...
In Canada we do not pay tax on any medications @Jaylee. I also get a discount card from Abbott. I just present my card # to the pharmacy when purchasing my Libres. So instead of paying $200 for 2 I pay $150
 
I was in the US last autumn and CGMs were available in just about every pharmacy I went into in Virginia, both Carolinas, and Georgia - plus (if i recall correctly) the pharmacy sections in Sam's Club and Costco.
 
@Jaylee I believe in the US it will depend on which state you live in as to whether you pay tax on non prescription meds .
Ed spelling
 
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