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Anyone had issues with GP SURGERIES saying have to use a certain meter?

K

Kevin1987

Well-Known Member
Messages
49
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Hi just checking to see if anyone has had this issue. I went to put in my repeat prescription the other day and was handed a letter from the receptionist from the doctor. It basically said all diabetics now have to use a meter called glucomen lx plus some details of how to order my free one and a code to use and followed on to say to use up my remaining test strips and next prescription with be changed to include the test strips for this meter. I discussed with the receptionist that the meter I have been using lately has really helped as it is compact I can carry it with me at all times in my pocket and its bought my overall blood sugars down etc. she said this comes from higher up and all I can do is try and appeal it if I want but that's it. Is this fair to have no choice what so ever of the meter I use daily? Is it my doctors getting money under the table to push one meter?
 
We have a standard one across our county because it's the cheapest.
 
I have never had this before and researching my current meter the strips are £15 for 50 and this new one they want me to use is £20 for 50
 
To be fair, I use the glucomen lx as it's what I was given in hospital and I don't have any complaints. I believe @noblehead uses this too? But I understand, I don't like change!


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I was advised by my DSN that they were moving type 2s to the glucomen lx due to cost but that type 1s need the glucomen lx plus due to ketone testing requirements and because of this their was no saving to be made, if we wers given the lx we were to advise we were type 1 and need the lx plus this should change there mind as they are paying more for the strips
 
Where about is everyone from as not sure if it's an area thing I'm from North Kent?
 
Kevin I'm from Bexley under darenth valley hospital
 
Kevin1987 said:
Hi just checking to see if anyone has had this issue. I went to put in my repeat prescription the other day and was handed a letter from the receptionist from the doctor. It basically said all diabetics now have to use a meter called glucomen lx plus some details of how to order my free one and a code to use and followed on to say to use up my remaining test strips and next prescription with be changed to include the test strips for this meter. I discussed with the receptionist that the meter I have been using lately has really helped as it is compact I can carry it with me at all times in my pocket and its bought my overall blood sugars down etc. she said this comes from higher up and all I can do is try and appeal it if I want but that's it. Is this fair to have no choice what so ever of the meter I use daily? Is it my doctors getting money under the table to push one meter?
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You are lucky having the luxury of a letter! I found out that my strips had been changed as I was walking into the pharmacist's, No letter no advice (and if I had been a little later, no meter as it was Friday afternoon!) This was an area-wide move but no-one had informed the pharmacist to order stocks! Incidently the new strips were dearer per the NHS electronic drug tariff .
 
Perhaps I can help here. I have been Type 1 fro 32 years but I am also a GP. The change of the strips was advised as these ones; Glucomen Rx and Wavesense Jazz test strips are 50%cheaper than nearly all the others (about £9.50 vs £15 for 50 strips. The ruling from our medicines management team was that we should prescribe these test strips for all diabetics except for Type ones who are children or on insulin pumps. I have targued that all Type 1s should have access to strips that are compatible with a meter that uses sticks to check for ketones as well and for my patients this has been accepted. My argument was that as Type 1s we need to be able to test for ketones occasionally, especially when we are ill and that this encourages good self management. I do know that some doctors are just following the advice so some of you guys will be made to use the new strips, which I think is wrong. As for the saving money argument, the numbers of Type 2s are so much greater that not much extra is saved if you include adult type 1s who are not pregnant or on pumps. It does not apply to Type 2s on insulin as they are no more at risk of ketosis than any other Type2s. It is however useful to know how much strips cost the NHS; we are lucky compared with some other patients who are on lots of medication and still have to pay for prescriptions (that's not to say that having Type 1 is being lucky, though I am happier being Type 1 than I would be if I was Type2!)
 
Just put a case forward to your gp surgery on why you want to keep using your current meter, I'm sure they will make exceptions if they think it's in your best interests, although the Glucomen LX Plus is not a bad meter and I have one which I keep for testing blood ketones.
 
My local area prescribing committee (North Tyne) tried to put everyone on Element or Glucolab (cheap strips). I pointed out the 2012 independent test report that demonstrated the Element was one of the most inaccurate systems on the market and then just demanded the two systems I was happy with viz. Accu-chek mobile and Freestyle Lite and there was no argument. Type 1's should be able to have any system they are happy with and trust.
 
I've just been sent a letter saying I have to go start using the Element meter. Is it really inaccurate? I've always liked my Accucheck one and not sure I want to change if it's not as good.

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I was reading an article about the glucomen lx I have to start using had a massive issue the other year where millions on the test strips we recalled as they we giving complete inaccurate readings that makes me feel really safe! I'm going to put in an appeal I think
 
Kevin1987 said:
I was reading an article about the glucomen lx I have to start using had a massive issue the other year where millions on the test strips we recalled as they we giving complete inaccurate readings that makes me feel really safe! I'm going to put in an appeal I think
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More than likely that would have been a problem with the test strips and would have since been rectified, I doubt this alone would persuade a gp to keep you on your current meter Kev, even Accu-Chek had issues recently with their Mobile meter, it does happen from time to time unfortunately.
 
sunshine84 said:
I've just been sent a letter saying I have to go start using the Element meter. Is it really inaccurate? I've always liked my Accucheck one and not sure I want to change if it's not as good.

Sent from the Diabetes Forum App
Click to expand...

Well if you read this report that compares 43 BG systems, then you can't fail to conclude that the Element is far from optimum. The best results were from the Abbott Freestyle Lite, but others were close including most Accu-Chek's.
http://www.jdst.org/September2012/PDF/VOL-6-5-ORG2-FRECKMANN.pdf
 
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