Is the cost of insulin subsidised?

[Rockatansky]

As per the title, is the cost of insulin for human use subsidised in some way?

I ask as I have a cat which has diabetes as a secondary condition brought on by acromegaly. He is quite insulin resistant and we're getting through the stuff at some rate.

The insulin is hypurin bovine protamine zinc and is being charged to us at around £70 per vial. A quick search online finds that the very same stuff can be had at half the price for human use, hence my question.

Currently the insurance company is covering the costs but, depending on how long the cat lives, we'll hit the claim limit eventually and if I can lower the costs then I'd like to do so.

[Rockatansky]

Thanks for the reply, even though it doesn't explain the cost differential I'm seeing.

It's good that your insulin is free, but I'm more glad that my cat doesn't get viagra.....

[Rockatansky]

I'm sure he'd be fine with me sourcing my own insulin but the price issue remains. I see vet supply places selling it for £60ish and yet pharmacies for closer to £30 and that's the root of my query.

I doubt a pharmacy would accept a prescription from a vet, but I don't actually know that.

[Rockatansky]

I don't agree about the vet ripping me off. I have good reason to trust him, but that's not the point.

The whole origin of my question is that I have searched online and what I have found is a great disparity between the cost of the item to human users and to veterinary users.

If you, or anyone else, can point me to this being available for animal use at the human price I'd be very grateful.