Getting Insulin as a new Expat

Hi everyone!

I'm based in Hong Kong and newly diagnosed this week.

Unsure whether it is type 1 or 2 yet, as the doctor says some of the symptoms suggest type 1 and others suggest type 2. Very likely I'll be given a refillable pen (based on the pamphlet, likely a Novopen 5) and some cartridges when I'm discharged from the hospital.

The issue is that I'll relocate to London in 3-4 weeks for a 6-month work rotation. Just wanted to know how should I get my refill cartridges after I arrive at UK. Would a general practitioner be able to prescribe some? How many spare ones should I reserve before relocation in case I could't get a doctor's appointment soon enough? Private healthcare should also work for me as my health insurance at least partially covers it.

Many thanks in advance!

oldgreymare said:

This will depend on your nationality and if not UK/Irish citizen what type of visa you are entering on, as this dictates what health care protocol you would be eligible for during a 6 month visit. Pragmatically bring as much supplies as you can get - just keep insulin in the fridge once here. Plus copies of all tests done for HK diagnosis, HK doctor's letter re your current prescription, etc. In your shoes I would ask for c-peptide and all insulin antibodies testing while still in HK - these results will help clear up whether T1 or T2 - care pathways are very different for each type under the NHS system.

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Thank you! I'll visit under a GAE visa, which I think would entitle me to NHS services since there was an NHS surcharge when applying for the visa.

I'll check with my HK doctor about the testings.

Edit: I spoke with my doctors and understand that the testing to distinguish whether T1 or T2 might not be available for me soon (at least before traveling to UK) because I'm now taking steroids to treat some complications which drastically affect my blood glucose level. They may need to make the distinction by the monitoring data after ~3 months. Before that, they'll give me treatment as if I'm a T1. Hopefully the UK doctors could accept this diagnosis and resupply my insulins.