Technically, it's not. It's a monopoly provider selling something to the NHS, and to the General public. They're allowed to quote different prices for "wholesale" and "retail". It's only price fixing where there is more than one company agreeing with another to manage prices in order to best meet whatever target they're aiming for.yes and it is called price fixing and is illegal. They are dressing it up but they will get away with it because by the tie that any investigation happens they will have changed their policy
I read posts like this and no longer wonder why I moved to France! I am type 2 diabetic dependent on insulin, I have a Medtronic pump and am visited by a nurse every 6 months. 3 months ago my specialist recommended I try a Lifestyle Iibre system, it is fantastic, my blood sugars immediately dropped all the spikes disappeared and I started to feel better within 2 weeks. I do wonder if the wonderful prime minister had the same experience!! What is wrong with the Uk this system will save thousands of amputations, will save the sight of thousands and yet only for people that can afford £100 per month. The French health service - one of the best in Europe appreciate the saving spending money in the future. The UK has a health service only capable of short term thinking.
Paul Littler
It’s not price fixing - clearly with respect there is a lack of understanding how the system works. There is the Drug Tariff price which is what the cost is to the NHS. This is agreed between the appropriate NHS bodies and the supplier. There could then be a retail price if the product can be purchased over the counter (OTC and P medicines) Libre Sensors are P class as are stripsyes and it is called price fixing and is illegal. They are dressing it up but they will get away with it because by the tie that any investigation happens they will have changed their policy
I did a bit of ringing around today - Sainsbury’s pharmacy said they could order me one and quoted a price of £63!!!
I politely declined........
I did a bit of ringing around today - Sainsbury’s pharmacy said they could order me one and quoted a price of £63!!!
I politely declined........
I got a similar answer from our local Lloyds pharmacy
I have an email from Lloyds customer services stating that they are £52.50
I actually called superdrug this morning, to try and get some as I usually go through Abbott, but the chemist said that they aren't allowed to sell to anyone if they don't have the NHS prescription for them.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want all the health issues that is needed to make the criteria in my area to have them NHS funded, but I struggle to meet the £100 (ish) a month to self fund. I love using them and value having them, but would love it if they were more affordable
. I explained that it may be available on prescription in other areas... but not here. Then they happily put my order through....
I'm one of the fortunate people who gets the sensors on prescription now, tho for 9 months I was purchasing them. I got them direct from the manufacturer. Never crossed my mind to try the pharmacy, though when I took my first prescription to Boots, they didn't know what it was for!I have been buying my libre sensors from my local Boots. I normally buy 2 at once to last me a month. The last time I went in there was only one box but Boots said they’d order more. Checked at the weekend they hadn’t come in but I was told they’d be here for today.
When I went in on my way home from work the lady read out a notice they’d received I assume from Boots HQ saying they’d had lots of queries with regard to selling the sensors to patients and that patients should be directed to the Abbots website if they wish to purchase them!?!?
Has anyone else had problems? I’m going away tomorrow evening and my sensor runs out on Saturday . I’ll not be able to order one in time. Where do others buy theirs from and how much do you pay?
Thanks
Nikki
Here in the US, the Libre sensors are labeled as a prescription device so without a prescription you cannot get them. This is a regulatory requirement mandated by FDA. It is likely the same in the UK. I would not expect the EU medical device classification procedures to be different in this case. Anyone can verify this by reading the IFU that accompanies each device. Is it possible Abbot is clamping down due to enforcement action from MHRA?
I read posts like this and no longer wonder why I moved to France! I am type 2 diabetic dependent on insulin, I have a Medtronic pump and am visited by a nurse every 6 months. 3 months ago my specialist recommended I try a Lifestyle Iibre system, it is fantastic, my blood sugars immediately dropped all the spikes disappeared and I started to feel better within 2 weeks. I do wonder if the wonderful prime minister had the same experience!! What is wrong with the Uk this system will save thousands of amputations, will save the sight of thousands and yet only for people that can afford £100 per month. The French health service - one of the best in Europe appreciate the saving spending money in the future. The UK has a health service only capable of short term thinking.
Paul Littler
Stand your ground, be firm, and don't take no for an answer.I ordered 2 from Superdrug last Thursday evening I paid for them when I ordered and am waiting for them to arrive - the pharmacist said they will call me but they should be here by Wednesday.
Saw my Consultant last week and even though London NW Trusts have agreed to prescribing of libre they have stipulated guidelines, one which I definitely meet is that by using libre strip usage will be reduced by 8 per day.
Would you believe it that because I have been self funding libre my strip usage has gone down but my Consultant told me they still have to refer to CCG before they can issue libre on prescription?!? And, that the evidence has to be from the past 3 months. I feel like I have shot myself in the foot by self funding . So I am now using libre purely for myself and strip testing for hospital purposes . He is putting in an IFA for dexcom because I meet NICE guidelines on a number of points but it was only after he spoke to my DSN that he agreed to do it and he said it might be rejected so I won’t hold my breath as I don’t get the feeling he will put up much of a fight for me. I hope I am wrong
Absolutely my CCG state Hba1I expect that people who have improved their A1c by self funding may also have excluded themselfs due to their A1c now being to good for the prescription guildlines.
I expect that people who have improved their A1c by self funding may also have excluded themselfs due to their A1c now being to good for the prescription guildlines.
Absolutely my CCG state Hba1
Absolutely, my CCG stipulated that HbA1c has to be greater than 69.4 (8.5). It’s laughable that the evidence prior to self-funding can’t be used e.g. my strip usage reduction - I even said that to my Consultant but he said it had to be from the past 3 months
I’d be interested to find out if other CCGs won’t use previous data for those who have improved by self-funding
I did, my GP told me, being type II was obviously another factor.I expect that people who have improved their A1c by self funding may also have excluded themselfs due to their A1c now being to good for the prescription guildlines.