# Buying insulin in Canada: Costco is cheapest source **URL:** \ **Category:** Insulin\ **Tags:** insulin, cost-of-diabetes\ **Created:** [February 25, 2019, 2:36am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/buying-insulin-in-canada-costco-is-cheapest-source/6809 "2019-02-25T02:36:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MM2](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/mm2/32/3032_2.png) [@MM2](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/MM2)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2019, 6:42pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/buying-insulin-in-canada-costco-is-cheapest-source/6809/27 "2019-02-27T18:42:44Z")
Looks like G6 approved now in Canada. But says available late 2019. > **[DexCom (DXCM) Gets Health Canada Approval for G6 CGM System](https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/357162/dexcom-dxcm-gets-health-canada-approval-for-g6-cgm-system)** > > DexCom's (DXCM) G6 CGM system intends to serve diabetes patients of all age groups in Canada. ---
**Author:** ![Jen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jen/32/4777_2.png) [@Jen](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Jen)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2019, 6:48pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/buying-insulin-in-canada-costco-is-cheapest-source/6809/28 "2019-02-27T18:48:54Z")
> [@MM2](#): > > Looks like G6 approved now in Canada. It is approved, but they’re saying it won’t be available until late 2019 (which to me means more like early 2020 before people can actually get it). And then Basal-IQ could be well into 2020 before it gets approved. Meanwhile, you in the US will probably have been using Control-IQ for a year or so at that point… So I’m thinking I’m just going to wait and re-evaluate everything in 2021 or so, by which point Tandem, Insulet, and Medtronic will all hopefully have new pumps coming out. ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2019, 7:43pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/buying-insulin-in-canada-costco-is-cheapest-source/6809/29 "2019-02-27T19:43:04Z")
It doesn’t say who owns the Costco pharmacy, and it may in fact be a subsidiary of Costco, but this is how they characterize the pharmacy: Ancillary Businesses Costco refers to several types of businesses as ancillary, including gasoline stations, pharmacies, optical and hearing aid centers, and travel. ---
**Author:** ![Beacher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a6a055/32.png) [@Beacher](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Beacher)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2019, 7:58pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/buying-insulin-in-canada-costco-is-cheapest-source/6809/30 "2019-02-27T19:58:24Z")
> [@Jen](#): > > It is approved, but they’re saying it won’t be available until late 2019 (which to me means more like early 2020 before people can actually get it). And then Basal-IQ could be well into 2020 before it gets approved. Meanwhile, you in the US will probably have been using Control-IQ for a year or so at that point… On the plus side, while we twiddle our thumbs in the snow, we’ll be getting familiar with all the problems and workarounds before things get released here. ---
**Author:** ![Jen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/jen/32/4777_2.png) [@Jen](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Jen)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2019, 8:12pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/buying-insulin-in-canada-costco-is-cheapest-source/6809/31 "2019-02-27T20:12:11Z")
Yes, that is very true! Though no snow for me. The rest of Canada can keep that! ---
**Author:** ![elver](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/elver/32/8772_2.png) [@elver](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/elver)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2019, 9:14pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/buying-insulin-in-canada-costco-is-cheapest-source/6809/32 "2019-02-27T21:14:56Z")
> [@Michel](#): > > I don’t think it is true in the US. I am pretty sure I had to use my Costco card at the pharmacy there. No Costco membership is needed for US Costco pharmacies. There are caveats though, such as the CMPP mentioned on other threads which is needed to purchase G6s @ cash cost. ---
**Author:** ![Penningdcp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Penningdcp](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Penningdcp)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2019, 11:45pm UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/buying-insulin-in-canada-costco-is-cheapest-source/6809/33 "2019-04-08T23:45:00Z")
Any experience crossing into Winnipeg for Costco purchasing Lantus solostar pens? Victoza? Freestyle Libre sensors? ---
**Author:** ![Scotteric](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@Scotteric](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Scotteric)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 12:03am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/buying-insulin-in-canada-costco-is-cheapest-source/6809/34 "2019-04-09T00:03:27Z")
Nope, I live in Toronto, which is a long way from Winterpeg, but I can’t imagine there would be much difference from here. Call ahead and make sure they have what you want in stock. Pharmacies just started selling Libre sensors, they were only available online until recently, so again, call ahead is my only advice. ---
**Author:** ![Chris](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/forum.fudiabetes.org/chris/32/382_2.png) [@Chris](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Chris)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 12:10am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/buying-insulin-in-canada-costco-is-cheapest-source/6809/35 "2019-04-09T00:10:25Z")
A number of folks have successfully purchased insulin of all types in Canada. No prescription needed. Be aware that each pharmacy only has so much in stock, so as @Scotteric mentions, call ahead. ---
**Author:** ![Penningdcp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/13edae/32.png) [@Penningdcp](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/u/Penningdcp)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2019, 1:48am UTC](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/buying-insulin-in-canada-costco-is-cheapest-source/6809/36 "2019-04-09T01:48:13Z")
Many thanks and to @scotteric also! [Previous page](https://forum.fudiabetes.org/t/buying-insulin-in-canada-costco-is-cheapest-source/6809.md?page=1)