Freestyle Libre Asda £44.00

[lindseyste]

Hi, my 13-year-old son is type 1 diagnosed at 8 we started using the Libre the day they announced it was licenced for over 4-year-olds. He was in primary school then teachers insisted he waited until 2 members of staff were present to check bloods. This sometimes as we all know is impossible especially at lunch time many days spent eating alone he was 11 and capable of feeling the lows. He got into trouble so many times for checking them in certain situations. Anyway that why we started he is now in high school and the Libre for us at least is a life changer, always 1 maybe 2 out when compared to insulinx monitor but let's face it they all read differently. So freestyle as nice as they are may as well ceased to trade when it comes to us non-NHS buyers I have literally waited 6 weeks since November for each sensor. Not good Abbott no email replies a nice guy at the call centre told me they prioritise the Uk NHS first then there is not many left for buyers. So I got so frustrated that I just by chance asked my pharmacy Boots if they could supply to buy they replied yes wow next day delivery ok the cost for it from my tiny Boots was £63.00. I then read an email from this site about it for sale at Asda. So I rang Asda pharmacy and yes I can confirm they are selling them for £44.00 just go to fill a short form and it turns up 2-3 days later. How amazing is that, yes maybe I am now contributing to the supply problem, however, Abbott is not supplying them anyway so what else can we do. My son is 13 hit his teens and struggling yes I am going to buy. £22.00 a week £3.00 odd a day. Or run around high school late for lessons running off the rugby pitch dropping test strips all over the floor in the class getting the looks and questions all just to check his bloods. I know what I will do.
I'm in Merseyside by the way and apparently, most Northwest Asda sells them. Hope this helps.
On another note I'm told my son should get DLA if we applied we do not however if my local NHS decide not to fund and I have to continue to fund, this just may be the reason why I do claim over 2 years is a very long time to self-fund and its expensive we go without many many times. My thoughts have always been why should the taxpayers pay for this it is no one's fault he is type 1 he is my child it's up to me to look after him. So if I am changing my way of thinking surely I'm not the only one how much is the criteria going to affect the government overall?. DLA is not from the NHS budget however it does come from a budget (my politics knowledge is useless) so therefore less money in the pot for the NHS. Don't get me wrong the NHS is amazing we are so lucky they literally saved my son's life we get our insulin needle tips all our sundries. Not many people in the world can say that the staff do the most amazing jobs most people are lucky enough not to see this but we do, as do most of you especially the parents of the brave children. Our hospital is amazing our diabetic nurses are our second family they will never know how they change our lives.
Anyway I'm going now the first time I post and I rabbit on probably insulted everyone on here (sorry) but the point is Asda £44.00 Freestyle Libre.

 

[hankjam]

Never insulted by a caring mum.
Welcome to the forum.
I'm a T2 and not very knowledgeable about T1, so won't comment. I'm sure some will be a long some time soon.
Just a comment on DLA. You're right, it's not NHS money but Dept Work and Pensions and is known as Disability Living Allowance. I think it has been replaced by PIP, which is Personal Independence Payment and there are a lot complaints about how the need is assessed...
Interested to hear about ASDA, as I'm thinking of funding one myself... but not sure if I really need one and there maybe others whose need is greater.
I wish your son and you well.

 

[alisonhe]

Hi, I agree, I’m type 1 and recently bought myself this cgm but I can’t afford to self fund all the time as it costs 58.00 from Freestyle Libre for 1 sensor so 2 weeks. I bought it because my gp surgery are making issues about me testing a lot and a completely ignorant doctor at my gp surgery said I should only test twice a day - it beggars belief!!! My sister in law told me just last night about Asda selling it for 44.00, a good saving but still expensive but you can get it in good time rather than waiting weeks. I only have a week left on this one so will ask her to get me another. Asda buy it at cost for 35.00 so are only making a £9 profit. This way I can stock up on test strips and have the odd 2 weeks of constant data available. This can change a diabetics life so I agree it should be free on the nhs. The alternative is developing complications which will cost the nhs a lot more in the long run.

 

[sysrev]

Hi, I agree, I’m type 1 and recently bought myself this cgm but I can’t afford to self fund all the time as it costs 58.00 from Freestyle Libre for 1 sensor so 2 weeks. I bought it because my gp surgery are making issues about me testing a lot and a completely ignorant doctor at my gp surgery said I should only test twice a day - it beggars belief!!! My sister in law told me just last night about Asda selling it for 44.00, a good saving but still expensive but you can get it in good time rather than waiting weeks. I only have a week left on this one so will ask her to get me another. Asda buy it at cost for 35.00 so are only making a £9 profit. This way I can stock up on test strips and have the odd 2 weeks of constant data available. This can change a diabetics life so I agree it should be free on the nhs. The alternative is developing complications which will cost the nhs a lot more in the long run.

As a T1.5 on insulin for the past 20 years I think I would be remiss if I did not test my blood 4 or 5 times a day and certainly before getting into the car. Maybe your gp does not know enough about diabetes. I have found over the years a lot of health care professionals do not have the expected grounding in the condition. The Freestyle Libre is a game changer for me (my fingers were wearing out!). The reluctance to use a strip when I am uncertain about levels or direction is now completely in the past. As far as accuracy is concerned, it is certainly good enough for me - usually within 1mmol/l of my strip meter. The exception is for a few hours after putting a new Libre sensor on my arm when it can be significantly different. I have seen other posts saying put the new sensor on 1 day before existing sensor expires but do not activate until old sensor removed. I have not tried this but may well in future.

 

[alisonhe]

As a T1.5 on insulin for the past 20 years I think I would be remiss if I did not test my blood 4 or 5 times a day and certainly before getting into the car. Maybe your gp does not know enough about diabetes. I have found over the years a lot of health care professionals do not have the expected grounding in the condition. The Freestyle Libre is a game changer for me (my fingers were wearing out!). The reluctance to use a strip when I am uncertain about levels or direction is now completely in the past. As far as accuracy is concerned, it is certainly good enough for me - usually within 1mmol/l of my strip meter. The exception is for a few hours after putting a new Libre sensor on my arm when it can be significantly different. I have seen other posts saying put the new sensor on 1 day before existing sensor expires but do not activate until old sensor removed. I have not tried this but may well in future.

Hi,
Yes I have heard that recently too. I just put a new cgm on yesterday after 2 weeks of no cgm. Last night I had a difference of 1.2 between the cgm and meter but both tests were done at the same time. This morning the difference was 0.9 so there is maybe a mmol difference but perhaps because the cgm measures interstitial fluid and not the blood in our veins. I have read you should compare with the meter 10mins later.

 

[Type1Zed]

Hi, my 13-year-old son is type 1 diagnosed at 8 we started using the Libre the day they announced it was licenced for over 4-year-olds. He was in primary school then teachers insisted he waited until 2 members of staff were present to check bloods. This sometimes as we all know is impossible especially at lunch time many days spent eating alone he was 11 and capable of feeling the lows. He got into trouble so many times for checking them in certain situations. Anyway that why we started he is now in high school and the Libre for us at least is a life changer, always 1 maybe 2 out when compared to insulinx monitor but let's face it they all read differently. So freestyle as nice as they are may as well ceased to trade when it comes to us non-NHS buyers I have literally waited 6 weeks since November for each sensor. Not good Abbott no email replies a nice guy at the call centre told me they prioritise the Uk NHS first then there is not many left for buyers. So I got so frustrated that I just by chance asked my pharmacy Boots if they could supply to buy they replied yes wow next day delivery ok the cost for it from my tiny Boots was £63.00. I then read an email from this site about it for sale at Asda. So I rang Asda pharmacy and yes I can confirm they are selling them for £44.00 just go to fill a short form and it turns up 2-3 days later. How amazing is that, yes maybe I am now contributing to the supply problem, however, Abbott is not supplying them anyway so what else can we do. My son is 13 hit his teens and struggling yes I am going to buy. £22.00 a week £3.00 odd a day. Or run around high school late for lessons running off the rugby pitch dropping test strips all over the floor in the class getting the looks and questions all just to check his bloods. I know what I will do.
I'm in Merseyside by the way and apparently, most Northwest Asda sells them. Hope this helps.
On another note I'm told my son should get DLA if we applied we do not however if my local NHS decide not to fund and I have to continue to fund, this just may be the reason why I do claim over 2 years is a very long time to self-fund and its expensive we go without many many times. My thoughts have always been why should the taxpayers pay for this it is no one's fault he is type 1 he is my child it's up to me to look after him. So if I am changing my way of thinking surely I'm not the only one how much is the criteria going to affect the government overall?. DLA is not from the NHS budget however it does come from a budget (my politics knowledge is useless) so therefore less money in the pot for the NHS. Don't get me wrong the NHS is amazing we are so lucky they literally saved my son's life we get our insulin needle tips all our sundries. Not many people in the world can say that the staff do the most amazing jobs most people are lucky enough not to see this but we do, as do most of you especially the parents of the brave children. Our hospital is amazing our diabetic nurses are our second family they will never know how they change our lives.
Anyway I'm going now the first time I post and I rabbit on probably insulted everyone on here (sorry) but the point is Asda £44.00 Freestyle Libre.

Morning,

Sorry I’m a bit late to the party! Zed T1Diabetic as a teacher I think it’s a bit poor by your sons primary school! Both I’m very much a huge fan of the Libre! Worth noting that as a T1D you shouldn’t pay tax on anything that is solely used for diabetes so should be getting things at stock price for example from freestyle you should only pay £48 a libre or from boots £47!

Hope this helps keep up the good work!

 

[alisonhe]

Hi, I’m T1 32 years and self funding freestyle cgm. It is very expensive so for now I’m buying one a month and will see how that goes as we need it so much, continuous data is a lifesaver. Lindseyste - have you bought the book bright spots and land mines - a good read for you and your son. It is available free. I’m thrilled that Asda supply this cgm. Why on earth did your son need 2 teachers to check his blood and why did he have to eat lunch alone - that’s awful, poor guy.

 

[urbanracer]

Morning,

Sorry I’m a bit late to the party! Zed T1Diabetic as a teacher I think it’s a bit poor by your sons primary school! Both I’m very much a huge fan of the Libre! Worth noting that as a T1D you shouldn’t pay tax on anything that is solely used for diabetes so should be getting things at stock price for example from freestyle you should only pay £48 a libre or from boots £47!

Hope this helps keep up the good work!

Where I live on the south coast, local pharmacies are refusing to deduct tax. The Lloyds branch that I get my prescriptions from is quoting £66 per sensor. The Lloyds counters in my 2 nearest Sainsbury's claim that they are paying Abbott £150 for 2 sensors, which I find difficult to believe but I got the same story from 2 different stores so?

The nearest Asda has not seen any prescriptions for the Libre and the store manager will not set up an account with Abbott until he needs too. So I'm stuck with buying sensors directly from Abbott for a while.

I am planning to contact Lloyds customer services about the VAT issue. Maybe it will help, let's see.

 

[Type1Zed]

Hi, 100% complain! Diabetes is certainly tax free. Have you tried going to
boots? If they are refusing to deduct tax I spoke to someone at diabetes.co.uk (helpline) or maybe your diabetes specialist team?

 

[alisonhe]

Where I live on the south coast, local pharmacies are refusing to deduct tax. The Lloyds branch that I get my prescriptions from is quoting £66 per sensor. The Lloyds counters in my 2 nearest Sainsbury's claim that they are paying Abbott £150 for 2 sensors, which I find difficult to believe but I got the same story from 2 different stores so?

The nearest Asda has not seen any prescriptions for the Libre and the store manager will not set up an account with Abbott until he needs too. So I'm stuck with buying sensors directly from Abbott for a while.

I am planning to contact Lloyds customer services about the VAT issue. Maybe it will help, let's see.

How come you get your prescriptions from Lloyd’s? You don’t need any prescription to buy them from Asda. Anyone can buy them.

 

[urbanracer]

How come you get your prescriptions from Lloyd’s? You don’t need any prescription to buy them from Asda. Anyone can buy them.

"The Lloyds branch that I get my prescriptions from", - insulin, needles etc. I asked tthem about buying the sensors, not about getting the sensors on a script.

 

[urbanracer]

Hi, 100% complain! Diabetes is certainly tax free. Have you tried going to
boots? If they are refusing to deduct tax I spoke to someone at diabetes.co.uk (helpline) or maybe your diabetes specialist team?

Actually no, I haven't asked at a Boots branch yet! Will try today. E-mail has been sent Lloyds customer services, -stay tuned.

 

[sysrev]

Hi,
Yes I have heard that recently too. I just put a new cgm on yesterday after 2 weeks of no cgm. Last night I had a difference of 1.2 between the cgm and meter but both tests were done at the same time. This morning the difference was 0.9 so there is maybe a mmol difference but perhaps because the cgm measures interstitial fluid and not the blood in our veins. I have read you should compare with the meter 10mins later.

Perhaps we expect too much of our new toy. I guess we are use to the strip meters and who is to say how accurate they are? You are right about the delay of 10 to 15 minutes. I still love my Libre!

 

[urbanracer]

Hi, 100% complain! Diabetes is certainly tax free. Have you tried going to
boots? If they are refusing to deduct tax I spoke to someone at diabetes.co.uk (helpline) or maybe your diabetes specialist team?

So been to a couple of branches of Boots this afternoon. Lo and behold, 2nd branch has told me they can sell it to me for £48. First branch were not prepared to quote a VAT free price without the pharmacist present.

Then I realised there's a small Lloyds branch on the edge of town that I hadn't considered before. The Pharmacist looked up the Libre and told me she could sell it to me for £35!!!! I am sure there must be a mistake with this price, but I'll test the water when I want to order the next batch.

 

[Type1Zed]

Great news! Hopefully it gets sorted!

 

[Mr. Dan]

I got mine from TrustMed Pharmacy in the Leicester General Hospital. Apparently all three of the Leicester hospitals sell them. There £42 with the VAT exempt. I've looked around online and I can't see them any cheaper any where else.

 

[Q4444]

As a T1.5 on insulin for the past 20 years I think I would be remiss if I did not test my blood 4 or 5 times a day and certainly before getting into the car. Maybe your gp does not know enough about diabetes. I have found over the years a lot of health care professionals do not have the expected grounding in the condition. The Freestyle Libre is a game changer for me (my fingers were wearing out!). The reluctance to use a strip when I am uncertain about levels or direction is now completely in the past. As far as accuracy is concerned, it is certainly good enough for me - usually within 1mmol/l of my strip meter. The exception is for a few hours after putting a new Libre sensor on my arm when it can be significantly different. I have seen other posts saying put the new sensor on 1 day before existing sensor expires but do not activate until old sensor removed. I have not tried this but may well in future.

 

[Jkoko56]

I've just spoken to my local ASDA who quoted me £60+ including VAT and said they weren't aware of VAT exceptions. I did manage to get 3 from Boots at £40, but don't all rush! On collection she admitted she'd made a mistake and the full price was £60+ however she did honour the price she had originally given. Keeping fingers crossed that I am able to get it on prescription soon. Last I heard my local trust were still querying its provision for pregnant diabetics. I'm well past that stage!

 

[Boo1979]

My Asda £42 after vat deduction

 

[Sibyl]

Bournemouth Asda last week charged me £44 per sensor.