Rising drug shortage in America hits insulin hard, affecting millions of diabetics

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — There's a nationwide shortage of some insulin products due to a delay in manufacturing.

More than 8 million Americans need insulin to manage diabetes. For many, they need it to stay alive.

"There has been a lot of information out in the media about that shortage, with manufacturers not being able to produce it as needed," said Jennifer Kalinsky, a pharmacist with Dottie's Pharmacy in Charleston.

It's a small part of a much larger issue. According to the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, in the first quarter of this year, there was a shortage of 323 different drugs. A record high surpassing 320 back in 2014.

READ MORE: "South Carolina sees drop in pregnancy-related deaths; Black mothers remain at higher risk."

"We are seeing shortages on all different kinds of medications currently, and they all say that it's been manufacturer issues, but specifically insulin, Adderall products, they have all had issues in production as well," Kalinsky said.

The ASHP says there are currently five types of insulin, including Humalog, Detemir, and Aspart on their shortage list, but customers are struggling to find others as well.

"We mostly have seen a shortage just in the fast-acting insulin, specifically like the Novolog. That's the insulin that patients would take at mealtime right when they're eating, so it's really important for patients to have those medications so that they can manage the spikes in their blood glucose levels," Kalinsky said.

Dottie's Pharmacy says they have been monitoring the issue and have insulin in stock, but it still can be an issue for others with a larger customer base.

READ MORE: "MUSC receives nearly $4.3M to implement rural health initiatives."

"Most of the chains are having more of an issue with this, but yes, there is definitely a problem with some of the name-brand insulin products that patients have not been able to get at this time," said Kalinsky

And even if your provider is stocked up now, pharmacists say stay up to date and make sure you know what your insurer allows.

"Insurance usually will only allow you to get one refill in a prescription," Kalinsky said. "If it's a month's supply, they're only gonna let you refill it every month. Then, they're only good in the fridge for a certain period of time as well. So you kind of have to just maintain your current supply and try to anticipate what you're going to need in the future and fill it maybe a few days before it's due."