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Where can I collect used/wasted diabetic supplies?
Question : Where can I collect used/wasted diabetic supplies?
My friend and I are considering doing this non-profit work for kids with Type I diabetes in under developed countries. And before we actually start doing anything, our main concern is through what ways can we collect wasted diabetic supplies such as insulin pumps, pens, blood sugar meters, or simply in-date insulin?
Thanks for your help!
diabetic pump supplies
Best answer:
Answer by howard
id be happy to give some…thats a cracking idea but hard to set up an international charity
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#2 written by deborah 1 year ago
Using pumps in under developed countries is probably not feasible. Insulin syringes can be purchased without a prescription in most states as can basic insulins (regular, nph). Free meters are available from manufacturers; the testing supplies are the real trick, as they are expensive and must be used with the meter for which they were designed only. This sounds like a great idea, but a much larger undertaking than you seem to realize. Make a plan, present it to manufacturers and other organizations to raise funding and hopefully get some sponsors for supplies. Hold fundraisers. It may take a little while but when you get started, it will take off like wildfire if you have done the basics first! Good Luck.
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There are several logistic problems with 3rd world countries and diabetes supplies. Insulin pumps will be a definite no-no. First, batteries are not readily available in underdeveloped countries. Type 1 diabetics simply cannot go a few days without insulin until they can get 100-miles away to a store to buy batteries. Same with pump supplies: tubing, infusin sets, reservoirs, etc. When your life depends on it, you just can’t wait for supplies to arrive in a week or two to remote regions of the world.
That goes with blood test meters: batteries are hard to come by, especially for meters that have unusual batteries. I did a research study about 15 years ago to test out blood test strips that don’t use batteries. They worked about 80% of the time, but the big deal was they don’t use batteries.
Insulin needs to be refrigerated, and in many 3rd world parts, they don’t have refrigeration and the temperatures outside are very hot.
I’m all for helping people out – don’t get me wrong. But the logistics of type-1 diabetes management are very difficult when regular supplies aren’t available.