How can I transport 6 weeks of insulin? - Anonymous Question

[Anonymous Question]

Anonymous question submitted:

I have a friend who is type 1 diabetic and after finally overcoming a fear of injecting herself has booked herself a six week break to Australia. She is however struggling with how to transport as much insulin as she is going to need. She has found a chain of pharmacies over there who is willing to store her insulin for her while she stays in youth hostels, but the only thing she can find for transporting her insulin is a filobag and that is nowhere near large enough to carry the amount of insulin and blood strips that she needs for 6 weeks. Does anyone have any other ideas of what she could use to transport 30 vials and 6x50 blood strips? any advice greatly appreciated.

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[Mileana]

Re: How can I transport 6 weeks of insulin? - Anonymous Ques

Insulin should keep for 28 days unrefrigerated. That means that she can probably avoid cooling about half of her insulin. It's the same rules as for insulin in use. That leaves 15 vials. She could store these in 3 large friobags. That's not too bad, I guess.

Insulin should go with her into the cabin of the plane - not be kept with luggage as it could then freeze. This will spoil the insulin.

If it is possible to also carry a perscription for insulin in case of emergencies, that would be a good idea. If she travels with someone, have that other person carry at least a few days of insulin and strips and other supplies. In case bags or luggage gets lost, she will have more buffer and time to find a solution.

Remember to have a letter from the doc in charge of treatment to show to airline personel to explain that the insulin is needed and must be with her at all times.

-M

 

[AMBrennan]

Re: How can I transport 6 weeks of insulin? - Anonymous Ques

That leaves 15 vials. She could store these in 3 large friobags

Once again, Frio wallets are not actually magic. What they do according to the manufacturer's website is this:

The FRIO® insulin travel wallet is an evaporative cooling unit purposely designed to keep insulin cool within safe temperatures of 18-26°C (64.4-78.8°F) for 45 hours, even in a constant environmental temperature of 37.8°C (100°F).

That's useful for keeping in-use insulin at acceptable temperatures in hot climates. However, it is not designed to keep insulin refrigerated; insulin needs to be stored at 2-8°C to keep until the nominal expiry date.