Should I Remove Pharmacy Labels Before Selling?
We buy sealed diabetic supplies for cash. We do not sell supplies.
No, you shouldn't remove pharmacy labels before selling diabetic supplies to us. Peeling a label can tear the box or leave sticky residue, and that can lower its value. Instead, leave the label on and black out your name with a marker if you like. We remove and shred the labels ourselves.
Selling? See everything we buy.
This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own care.
Here's why the label should stay, how to protect your privacy and what we do with it. The short version: a marker is your friend, and your fingernail isn't.
Why not peel pharmacy labels?
A pharmacy label is stuck on hard, and the box under it is thin cardboard. When you peel it, a few things can go wrong:
- The box can tear, which can make it look opened.
- Sticky residue can be left behind.
- The label can pull off part of the maker's printing.
- You might peel off the expiration date or lot number.
Any of these can turn a box we'd buy into one we can't. That last one matters most. The date and lot number are printed on the maker's label. If a pharmacy sticker covers part of it and you peel it, you can lose information we need to quote you.
What's on the maker's label?
The maker's label shows the details buyers check. That includes:
- The product name and size
- The REF number, which tells the exact product
- The LOT number
- The expiration date, next to an hourglass symbol
That hourglass symbol comes from the ISO 15223-1 label standard. The FDA lets makers use these standard symbols on labels without words next to them.
Our guide on finding the REF, LOT and expiration date shows where each one sits.
How do you protect your privacy?
You can keep your name and details private without peeling anything. It takes about a minute per box. Here's how:
- Use a thick black permanent marker.
- Color over your name, address and prescription number.
- Let the ink dry before you stack the boxes, so it doesn't smear onto the next one.
- Don't cover the maker's label, the date or the barcode.
That's enough. You don't need tape, white-out or a razor. A marker is quick, cheap and safe for the box. Tape and white-out can also look like the box has been tampered with.
If the pharmacy sticker sits on top of the expiration date, leave it alone. Tell us when you send photos, and we'll work it out with you. We'd rather ask a question than have you damage a box.
When you take photos, make sure the marker doesn't hide anything we need. A quick look at each photo before you send it saves a lot of back and forth.
What do we do with the labels?
Once we buy your supplies, we remove the pharmacy stickers and shred them. That way, your name never travels with the box.
We do the peeling with care, so the maker's label stays readable. It takes time, but it's part of our job, not yours.
We only need clear photos of the box to send you a quote. A photo of the front and one of the date is usually plenty for each box. You don't have to share anything else about yourself. Our how it works page walks through every step.
What else should you leave alone?
The label isn't the only thing to leave as is. Before you sell, don't:
- Open the box to look inside
- Cut or tape over the seal
- Write on the maker's label
- Combine items from different boxes
Any of these can make a sealed box look opened, even if it never was. Keep each box just as it came from the pharmacy. A sealed, untouched box is what buyers want. We don't buy opened boxes.
A real-life example
Say you switched from Libre to a Dexcom and have five sealed boxes of Libre 3 Plus sensors left. Each one has a pharmacy sticker with your name and address on the side.
Your first thought is to peel the stickers off. You don't want a stranger to see your name. On the first box, the corner starts to tear, and the sticker takes some of the printing with it. You stop.
Instead, you color over your name and address with a black marker on all five. The ink dries in a few minutes. You leave the maker's label alone. Then you send photos of the front and the date.
You get a written quote, accept it and pack the boxes with padding. Then you mail them with tracking. We check the boxes, pay you by Zelle within 48 hours of delivery and shred the stickers.
Does this apply to every product?
Yes. It works the same for one box or twenty. It's the same for CGM sensors, pump pods, test strips and pen needles. See what we buy for the full list. The rule is simple: leave labels on, cover your name if you want to, and don't open anything.
We also don't buy anything marked "NOT FOR RESALE," or supplies paid for by Medicare or Medi-Cal. A black marker can't change those, and covering such a mark won't make the box sellable. If a box has a "NOT FOR RESALE" mark, keep it out of the sale.
Keep reading
Questions
Should I peel off the pharmacy label before I sell?
No. Peeling can tear the box or remove the date. Leave the label on, and we'll remove and shred it.
Can I cover my name on the label?
Yes. Color over your name, address and prescription number with a black marker. Don't cover the maker's label or the date.
What happens to my label after you buy the box?
We remove the pharmacy sticker and shred it. Your name doesn't travel with the box.
Can I use tape or white-out instead?
A marker is better. Tape and white-out can make the box look tampered with.
Keep the pharmacy labels on
Leave pharmacy labels on, cover your name if you like, and send us a photo of each sealed box. We'll send a free written quote and shred the labels after we buy.