FDA Warns of Health Risk for Sharing Insulin Pens

According to the FDA, sharing insulin pens can put patients at risk of transmitting hepatitis viruses, HIV, and other blood-borne pathogens.

Insulin pens are not designed, and are not safe, for one pen to be used for more than one patient, even if needles are changed between patients because any blood contamination of the pen reservoir could result in transmission of already existing blood-borne pathogens from the previous user.

The FDA is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, professional societies and health care organizations to reinforce patient and health care provider education about proper and safe use of insulin pens.