In a few countries, like Japan and Malaysia, you can buy B12 shots over the counter, even in supermarkets. However, in most other countries, including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Canada, you can’t get B12 injections over the counter at all. You need a prescription, even though B12 is very safe to inject and you can’t overdose.
Because of this, a recent petition in the UK is urging the government to allow injectable B12 to be sold over the counter at pharmacies, prescription-free:
The petition of the residents of the constituency of Loughborough declares that a lack of B12 can have far reaching and significant effects on both physical and mental health; notes that a significant number of people who are B12 deficient are unable to absorb the vitamin from food or supplements, and so need to inject it, which they can only do at their GP practice; further notes that NICE CKS guidance states that treatment of B12 deficiency in people with neurologic involvement should include injections on alternate days until there is no further improvement; further notes that a restricted maintenance dose of just four injections per year is what is normally allowed, which can leave people physically and mentally unable to contribute to either family or society, and lead to permanent neurological damage; further notes that, in response to a Freedom of Information request asking for the clinical evidence for the three monthly maintenance dose, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency stated that they were unable to obtain this information; further notes that B12 injectables should be made available over the counter at pharmacies, which would bring our approach in line with that of other countries, affording those with B12 deficiency the same dignity and control over their own health as a diabetic using insulin, and reducing the workload and financial burden on GP practices, District Nurses and other NHS services; further notes that a Change.org petition started by the petitioners on this issue has garnered over 94,000 signatures. The petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to remove the classification of Prescription Only Medicine from injectable vitamin B12.
Removing classification of prescription only medicine from injectable vitamin B12; Volume 683: debated on Monday 2 November 2020
It’s the same problem we ourselves are dedicated to solving.
Can’t Get B12 Injections Over The Counter?
There is a lot of corruption in Big Pharma. But methylcobalamin is NOT illegal in USA. You just have to get it compounded for you in a ‘wet compounding’ pharmacy (usually privately owned, not corporate). And you will need a prescription. So throw in the cost of a Doc visit. There are several in my state alone (Colorado), but only one that is ‘wet’ for injectables. AND—it is 5 doses for TWICE the price of the 33 doses available from good folks here at PerniciousAnemia.org. Order it from them here. Even with the (dirt cheap) saline and needle cost added, you are still way ahead.
LORAINE
If you can’t find any B12 shots to buy over the counter, or if you can’t get your doctor to prescribe the B12 shots that you so desperately need, worry no longer:
We stepped in to help, and came up with a way for you to get injectable B12. We sell vials of dry methylcobalamin B12. You’ll have to buy saline separately to mix it with, and insulin syringes so that you can inject it subcutaneously at home. It’s much easier than it sounds, we promise. Since we ship the B12 in powder form, needle-free, it isn’t classified as over-the-counter medicine, and thus can be shipped anywhere without problems.
Until governments remove the classification of Prescription Only Medicine from injectable B12, and allow the selling of over-the-counter B12 shots (like in Japan and other countries), we’ll be here to offer this service, and hopefully help you find relief.
In Short
We created Pernicious Anemia Relief to educate people about the serious implications of vitamin B12 deficiency and pernicious anemia, and to give every patient the ability to get optimal treatment by providing access to prescription-free injectable B12.
Hopefully, soon we’ll all be able to buy B12 shots over the counter.
Until then, get them here 🙂