Glucagon Injection Kit Availability in the UK

[annieccat]

My doctors say they can’t prescribe this however I have had this in my fridge since 1986 and asking if anyone in the UK know where I can maybe buy one online the Glucagon Injection Hypo kit? Type 1 diabetic

 

[AndBreathe]

My doctors say they can’t prescribe this however I have had this in my fridge since 1986 and asking if anyone in the UK know where I can maybe buy one online the Glucagon Injection Hypo kit? Type 1 diabetic

Glucagon in a prescription only irem, so a medical practitioner would have to provide that. If they decide this would be a private prescription, they can charge for that, and a private prescription is usually charged at the cost of the item, not the NHS Prescription Fee or be covered by your exemption

If you Google "Glucagon injection kit price" lots of suppliers are listed. You could call them and see what their process it.

You say you've had a kit in your fridge for a long time. Does this mean you are having regular severe hypos?

 

[annieccat]

No in fact they are very rare but it’s just that peace of mind

 

[Hopeful34]

I got one fairly recently from my GP as my old one was out of date. I'd query it with your gp/nurse. Do you see a hospital team for your diabetes? If so, they can ask your gp to prescribe.

Edited to add: I'm assuming you meant the one in the orange case, that you have to mix. If it was the pre mixed injection pen, I got that once, then it was blacklisted in my area, as the board didn't think there was any advantage, and it cost a lot more.

 

[annieccat]

Glucagon in a prescription only irem, so a medical practitioner would have to provide that. If they decide this would be a private prescription, they can charge for that, and a private prescription is usually charged at the cost of the item, not the NHS Prescription Fee or be covered by your exemption

If you Google "Glucagon injection kit price" lots of suppliers are listed. You could call them and see what their process it.

You say you've had a kit in your fridge for a long time. Does this mean you are having regular severe hypos?

It is only if I ever need it as usually I do feel my hypos

 

[annieccat]

I got one fairly recently from my GP as my old one was out of date. I'd query it with your gp/nurse. Do you see a hospital team for your diabetes? If so, they can ask your gp to prescribe.

Edited to add: I'm assuming you meant the one in the orange case, that you have to mix. If it was the pre mixed injection pen, I got that once, then it was blacklisted in my area, as the board didn't think there was any advantage, and it cost a lot more.

It’s my local doctors who follow me x

 

[annieccat]

It’s my local doctors who follow me x

Yes I specifically rang my go and yes it’s the orange one I am on about

 

[EllieM]

My understanding is that there is a global shortage at the moment so they prioritise people who are most at need.

Glucagon hydrochloride (Glucagen Hypokit): Supply issue

There is a supply issue affecting Glucagon hydrochloride (Glucagen Hypokit - Pharmacode 462519).

www.pharmac.govt.nz

EDited to add, that's a lik to a New Zealand document, but I think the situation is worldwide.

 

[Ushthetaff]

I’ve always got mine from GP on prescription in fact threw one away due to it being out of date, got another without problem . I Will say they are not just a “point and shoot” type of injection the contents have to be mixed so in the heat of the moment could be a tad stressful if you of that character.be well worth reading the “literature” before use . Plus the needle on the end isn’t one of the fluffy 4mm ones. Remind me of the ones I used over 40 years ago

 

[ViktoriaM]

I also got it on prescription easily in the past but there is something new. It is not a glucagon injection its more like a nose spray it‘s called baqsimi. I don’t know if it is easier to get that prescribed in the UK as Im not from the UK. But the advantage in my opinion is that it is easier for other people to use if I should ever have a severe hypo.

 

[Hopeful34]

Unfortunately baqsimi isn't available in the uk sadly.

 

[Shorty123]

My doctors say they can’t prescribe this however I have had this in my fridge since 1986 and asking if anyone in the UK know where I can maybe buy one online the Glucagon Injection Hypo kit? Type 1 diabetic

If you are an insulin dependant diabetic living in the UK you should be supplied with this automatically from your GP if you ask for it.

If you have had one in the fridge since 1986 it will surely be out of date and ought to be discarded of safely (take it back to your pharmacist).

There is a new premixed version of this called "OGLUO" which is premixed and comes in a kit like an "Epi-pen" and is much easier to use but is not available on the NHS at present because of the cost.
However, if you have a special need you should be able to get one. For example I was traveling from the UK to Australia and would be on a plane for a total of 21 hours over a 25 hour period and didn't like the thought of my partner having to try and open, mix and administer the usual kit that comes in the orange box in the cramped and possibly bumpy condition on a large jet (Boeing 777 and A-380), so I asked if I could possibly have the new pre-mixed version and my GP gave me a script for 2 pens of OGLUO. It is great because it doesn't need to be kept in a fridge, it can be kept safely in a kitchen cupboard for up to 2 years. My parner was very grateful for my GP getting me this as it took a lot off her mind.