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If you have ever had extra supplies from a device, you no longer use, what did you do with those extra supplies? (Check all that apply)
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I usually keep them as a backup device is good to have.
I have donated a device and it’s supplies now that I have a few.
I have also had to throw away test strips well expired as they are used but not frequently.
This question has always interested me because I have always wanted to donate extra supplies from a device I no longer use. However, I am concerned about breaking laws by giving prescription items to others. I’ve always thought that it was illegal to give prescription items to others. I would also be concerned about opening myself to lawsuits if something or someone had problems with something I gave away.
Kept some, gave some away, and, after a while, tossed out the old supplies I had kept.
With today’s supply chain issues I will continue to hold onto any extra supplies. I have actually paid cash for extra supplies in case of interruptions in supply or delivery.
And any of us who are Medicare recipients are wise to lay in a bit of back-up supplies as my experience is that Medicare is very quick with denials and also in granting approvals for any kind of change. They’ve taken longer than anticipated for me and required multiple follow-ups with my DME provider and my endo’s office. Best to anticipate the worst and hope for the best. Our lives depend upon it.
I rarely have extra supplies but when I do, I give them to my two grandsons who have T1 diabetes.
Local free clinic
The only extra I have had was G6 over patches when I switched to G7. I gave them to someone using G6.
Keep them but mostly because I don’t always know the best way to dispose of them!
I keep some as a backup until they’re no longer usable; then I throw them away.
Gave to Endo office for someone who can use.
I give them to my Endo office, though I try not to have extra supplies by ordering only what I anticipate needing.
I did donate a bunch of extra test strips once (to endo’s office), but wish I could figure out what to do with old Omnipods. I ended up with 3 extra boxes when they switched me to the new system a few months ago, but none of the usual places want them/can take them. I hate to throw them away knowing how much they cost. (Thankfully I only paid the co-pay, but still it hurts to see them wasted.)
Contact insulin pumpers online
I have also been unable to find resources that can accept my extra supplies. The resource mentioned by Bob no longer exists.
I have a support group for type 1 women only and if someone in our group needs something we let the facilitator know and she keeps track of who might need supplies or have extra. you cannot advertise prescription items online for free or Facebook. may restrict you. so beware of that.
I’ve personally handed items that I no longer needed to other diabetics that wanted them, and I’ve also handed unwanted products to my local Diabetes Centre [that’s Center, for my American cousins. 😉 ) where they’ve been handed to other diabetic patients.
I’ve given them to the Endocrinologist office to share with those in need
I am looking for someone
Contact insulin pampers on line
When I transitioned to Tandem from Medtronic, I kept a one month supply of Metronic cartridges and infusion sets and donated what I had left via my endocrinologist’s office. I recently benefitted from such a donation to them when I was having difficulty with the Tandem XC infusion sets and wanted to try out the Tru-steel and AutoSoft30 sets before initiating any DME order change. My endo’s office had several samples of each with different cannula lengths to let me try. I have since changed from the AutoSoft XC set to the AutoSoft 30 set which is giving me better absorption and lasts the full 3 days. The XC was creating absorption problems on Day 3. I received too many occlusions with the Tru-steel and because of the steel cannula, one needs to be extra careful not to put pressure on the site.
First and foremost, please don’t trash anything extra you may have! Find an outlet, may not be FDA sanctioned, but someone somewhere can use your extra supplies! I’ve built up a small backup from replacements for my own use (CGM sensors/pods that went bad). However, I’d tried Lyumjev (didn’t work out) plus had a couple of extra glucose meters, test strips, lancets, and carriers that I donated to an org intended for help to Ukraine. Hopefully, it helps kids/adults in need. I served in the military overseas and saw directly how great the need can be, both peace and war environments. If you have extra, please find an outlet for insulin, meters, test strips, et al…whether here at home or overseas…please don’t trash the stuff!
When transitioned from MiniMed to the t:slim x2, I donated my remaining MiniMed supplies to an organization in North Carolina: CR3 Diabetes Association. https://cr3diabetes.org
Combination. If applicable, I kept a little as backup. If I had a large quantity, I gave most to my endocrinologist’s office to distribute to patients where possible.
I’ve given them to T1D friends and family that use them; donated some things to a medical mission group; shared with others in the T1D woman’s group I’m a part of.
I recently changed the insulin supplies I’m using (my choice). I donated all unopened boxes of syringes I no longer use to a charity called “Insulin For Life”. Glad to do it !
Gave them to my endocrinologist
I’ve donated supplies that were sent to the Ukraine thru Insulin for Life, donated boxes of glucose test strips and loads of lancets to a local Senior Care service organization and most recently shipped all of my Animus Vibe pump supplies to a Facebook contact who uses them for cortisone infusion. I had originally asked my Diabetes Educator if she could accept extra DME supplies for patients in need. She told me the HMO wouldn’t allow her to do that, very sad.
Gave them to my Endo
Through my T1D social network, found someone in NoCal that could use my pump supplies.
Have to my endos office
When switching to a new device/company, I use up any remaining supplies that go with the previous device. Just makes sense, even if I’m in a hurry to try the new thing.
I donated to friends, kept some for myself and donated to a diabetes organization: syringes, blood test strips, lancets, insulin, blood glucose meters
The meters ceased to function entirely, their strips stopped being manufactured, or were “unusable” out of date. The lockbox and eventually the trash… found a bunch of OLD meters… unsure what’ll happen to them yet. The huge Ames is my “favorite”…
While I’ve offered to fried and people I don’t know, I’ll not let anything go to waste. Aware of expiration on pens and insulin but make a point everything gets used.
Donated them to my endo in case someone needed an emergency supply or for training purposes.
I recently switched from Dexcom G6 to G7 and still have a supply of G6 components. I am not sure how I feel about the G7, primarily due to the VERY frequent loss of signal! Happened occasionally with the G6 but not nearly as frequently as I experience now.
To clarify: I kept them for a year or two, just in case, and then donated them to an organization that helps T1Ds in underprivileged countries.