1/17 expiry/manufacture dates on insulin vials..non urgent query

Insulin vials state date of manufacture May 2016. The expiry date on the vial is April 2019. Purchased January 2019. It seems we have been sold vials that, instead of 3 years shelf/fridge life, are 3 months. Is it common for this to happen, or should I go to a chemist that turns over more. I will discuss with chemist after some advice. thanks.

 

I have no idea how common that situation might be but it has happened. I seem to remember someone in the US ordering from Canada and getting insulin with less than the usual three year expiry date however I cannot recall whether that pharmacy did anything to rectify the situation. Best to check the expiry date before leaving the chemist with the insulin. There is no problem with the chemist selling insulin that close to the expiry date for human patients who would use up the insulin before the 4 months expired because they use considerably higher doses. Can you access the pens or pen refill cartridges in Australia? They are a far better value as long as they have an extended expiry date because you can use up most if not all of the insulin in the small cartridges as opposed to the 10ml vial that you likely would not completely use even with an expiry date a little further away.

 

I have the pen refill cartridges, but just noticed the expiry date and the manufacture date..at $120 for the 5 vials..its alot of money to throw away..even if we use it for a little while after April..we should have got 3 years. I'll talk to the chemist. Also have a friend who is diabetic..we may be able to work something out, I think she is on Lantus as well. ps..I see you are Canadian..we had a lovely holiday there recently..(before the kitty got diagnosed - lucky with that at least!)

 

later...the insulin I bought was a few days in from the wholesaler. The chemist said that the pens were so much more popular so those vials probably sit around in the wholesalers. He also said, to keep on using it past the expiry date, provided we refrigerate it etc. he suggested I research the pens. So that is next step, so see what the FDMB and sticky's say about them! Phewie..my doing all the work, and kitty keeping cool on the tiled floor! He is an older experienced man, very kind with my kittycat enquiries etc. My vet is good with my own research etc too, so we are not too badly of.

 

I would be cautious about using insulin past its expiration date. It's 3 years old. I'd look at it this way... I don't buy milk that's very close to it's "self by" date. I don't use a great deal of milk on a daily basis and it will spoil if I buy it a day or two past it's sell by date.

 

Yes, I know that is true...I am disappointed with this batch. However, we will have to wear the cost if we decide to throw it away at expiry date, or close there after. We will ask the chemist to order in fresh stock for us, and make sure the wholesaler sends us a decent batch. It's not the chemists fault, it's just 'one of those things'. This situation is going to be a wait and see..and make the best decision we can. I'll just have to feed hubby sausages, while kitty gets chicken breast and fancy cat food! ( hubby's face when I tell him the news!)

 

So glad you enjoyed your visit to Canada. It is a beautiful country with lots to do and see but then I might be a bit biased.

 

Linda, those five x pen refills are the ones that are used in the pens! Evidenced by the name PENFILLS ! I don’t know what your chemist is referring to but as far as I am aware you have the only ones available here for Lantus. . You don’t need to look for other ones. I would be jumping up and down about being sold ones with such a small use by date. I think the chemist is responsible..... he should check the use by date on the product before selling it. He’s just passing the buck onto the supplier... who isn’t much better!! Especially as they would have known it was for a cat!!!

Can you post a photo of the box please?