[Diabetes-talk] NDC Numbers and Insulin Pens

[Ed Bryant]

Hi Folks,

First, I will discuss the National Drug Code (NDC).  All items, carried at
pharmacies, including things like insulin pens and various diagnostic
devices have a number called the National Drug Code.  When pharmacies
receive supplies for sale, all these items have an NDC.   If you want
something not carried by your pharmacy, they can easily find the NDC and
order the item for you.   Please remember all items sold at pharmacies have
an NDC, and if a drug store does not carry that piece of merchandise, it can
easily call the manufacturer and get the number, and then the product can be
ordered for you.  Occasionally a pharmacy will say it cannot get the NDC,
but in actuality, it can.  It might be that they are part of a larger chain
and they might tell you they have to go through the chain to get an item,
but all they really have to do is call whoever is selling the item and get
the NDC, so it can be ordered for you.   

 

Insulin Pens

If you are considering an insulin pen, you might want an Eli Lilly Pen.
Three of the pens are free by downloading a voucher from their website:
http://humalog.com/patient/humalog_insulin_pens.jsp.  You will also need a
doctor's prescription for a free pen.  

I do not recommend any of the Eli Lilly pens over another, but I downloaded
a voucher for a free HumaPen Luxura HD.  My doctor then wrote a
prescription, and I got the pen free from my pharmacy.  Please note: the pen
came free, but the insulin cartridges and the needles did not.  My drug
store did not carry the pen and knew nothing about it, so I gave them the
NDC, which is: 00002-9673-01.  I, also, gave them my doctor's prescription
and a free voucher from Lilly, and I received the pen in three or four days.

I am currently examining the pen and playing with it, and although I have
not had it very long, it does not appear it will be hard to use.  

If you have questions, please let me know.

 

Regards,

Ed Bryant