why do i need to pay for my test strips as doctor will not prescribe

yoland

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i have type 2 i take 4 metformin a day i have a new meter but been told by doctor that i cannot have new test strips because im on metformin
 

britishpub

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2,722
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Diet only
The NHS policy is to prescribe strips to patients who are at risk of hypoglycaemia.

As a T2D on Metformin, you should not be at that risk, nor would you be if drug free and just using diet and exercise to control.

It is unlikely that you will get them on prescription to do the equally important task of knowing when your Blood Glucose is too high, and finding out what you could do to change that situation, but you could try again.

Some people have managed to convince their GP or Nurse to prescribe them, so you never know.
 

Bluetit1802

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Very few in your situation are prescribed test strips, and the lucky ones aren't prescribed enough of them. It's all down to GP surgeries attempting to cut costs. We have to buy our own.
 
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Grumpy ole thing

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Grumpy ole thing

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Have just checked with my mum she's a T2, she picked from a list of strips her practice will prescribe and chose her meter based on that. Im at a bit of a loss to understand how you can possibly manage without a meter to be honest, you wouldn't drive a car with no speedo..that's bonkers. Have you tried the hospital specialist nurses or dieticians? Some surgeries are trying to shift to strips under 10p, so maybe you could check what your meter needs? If you are paying for strips you might check whether they're VAT free?
 
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Viv0147

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I am getting my test strips from my Doctor as it happens I had a box of 50 today I ran out last Friday so rather than wait I thought I would buy them so I rang the chemist and asked how much they were £16.15 she replied( lol) so I waited until today! To keep a check on my blood sugar they are vital,because of the testing after meals it showed me the types of food that were giving me high blood sugar, I've eliminated from my diet without the strips that would have been impossible. I also take 4 metformin a day I am living in Wales where we don't pay for prescriptions so maybe the rules are different but ask your Doctor again.
 

jacko3469

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79
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I can not see why you cant get test strips, i get them when ever needed , it might be something to do in which health authority youre in
 

Liam1955

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I have always bought my own meters, and used to get test strips & Lancets on prescription. Then last year my GP Practise told me I would have to start buying my own test strips/lancets OR I could accept their Meter and get test strips & Lancets free on prescription = I chose theirs, and although it is cheap looking it gives me the results, and I can get a 100 strips a month (I take Insulin and tablets for diabetes)
 
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Kyi

Well-Known Member
Messages
293
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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Tablets (oral)
When I asked my Dr she said that I didnt need to test my bloods and that I could wait until I was older to start testing.....I bought my own. I pay £6.99 vat free for 50 strips SD code free is the machine.
 

Kingsheathlad

Member
Messages
6
Type of diabetes
Type 2
My GP prescribes the test strips on prescription.i think if you use their machines for testing they will,but I was told if you get machine from other sources you don't. Hope this helps.
 

Cumberland

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I have always bought my own meters, and used to get test strips & Lancets on prescription. Then last year my GP Practise told me I would have to start buying my own test strips/lancets OR I could accept their Meter and get test strips & Lancets free on prescription = I chose theirs, and although it is cheap looking it gives me the results, and I can get a 100 strips a month (I take Insulin and tablets for diabetes)
Liam that is disgusting
You should get your meter your test strips and lancets FREE on prescription if you are T2 on insulin
 
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ladybird64

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My GP prescribes the test strips on prescription.i think if you use their machines for testing they will,but I was told if you get machine from other sources you don't. Hope this helps.

Hiya. Unfortunately, it is very common for GP's to refuse outright to prescribe test strips at all unless you are on medication such as Gliclazide or are injecting insulin. As there is no (supposed) risk of hypo, they won't prescribe. I would hazard a guess that most of us on either Metformin or diet do not receive a prescription.
 

Liam1955

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@Cumberland - Hi. I accepted the GP Practise Meter last year and yes I get free Lancits and Test Strips (100 a month). :)
 
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TorqPenderloin

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1,599
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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Insulin
Liam that is disgusting
You should get your meter your test strips and lancets FREE on prescription if you are T2 on insulin
It sounds like it was an issue about which brand he could get for free. I'm not sure what's disgusting about that as that's pretty typical even here in the US. I had to go through great hurdles to get my Accu-Chek strips approved as my insurance only covered the OneTouch brand (which is a joke).
 
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Maryannonsilk

Active Member
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Type of diabetes
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Tablets (oral)
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Ask your GP for a letter confirming they are refusing to prescribe you testing strips and say it's in case you develope diabetic complications later on which are caused by high blood sugars which you currently control by testing ....
 
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kesun

Well-Known Member
Messages
381
Type of diabetes
Other
Treatment type
Diet only
I get 50 strips a month on prescription, which the nurse told me is "the T1 standard prescription". Yet T1s in other areas get 100 a month. And as other posters have highlighted, some practices prescribe strips for T2s not on insulin, most don't. I think it's down to the clinical commissioning group you're with and practice varies widely. Yet another postcode lottery.

But if you're diet-controlled and therefore don't qualify for free prescriptions it's actually cheaper to get the SD codefree at £6.99 than to pay the prescription charge of £8.20.

Kate
 

terryhudson

Member
Messages
10
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Hi I have been on Insulin just over 12 months, I have had Type2 for 7/8 years and I have
Had a meter from day1 and I don't pay for anything and never have done and I can order
Testing strips whenever I need them, so I can't understand why you have to pay for them?

Terry Hudson.
 

Kyi

Well-Known Member
Messages
293
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
I think any insulin user either T1 or T2 are getting free meters and strips. The T2s its a lottery if you get it or not if you do not take insulin. Went digging about in NICE guidelines for T2s here what it says about T2 testing.

"Do not routinely offer self‑monitoring of blood glucose levels for adults with type 2 diabetes unless:
  • the person is on insulin or
  • there is evidence of hypoglycaemic episodes or
  • the person is on oral medication that may increase their risk of hypoglycaemia while driving or operating machinery or
  • the person is pregnant, or is planning to become pregnant. For more information, see the NICE guideline on diabetes in pregnancy. [new 2015]"
That explains a lot.
Full guide is found here :- https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng28/chapter/Key-priorities-for-implementation
 
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cazzy1968

Member
Messages
15
Type of diabetes
Type 2
I watch my carbs but have never tested my bg levels either before or after food. As a type 2 my diabetic nurse said not necessary. But I don't know if what I am eating is causing a spike or what levels I should be at before and after eating. Can anyone advise me if I should have a meter or test strips and best ones to get. Thanks x
 

PenfoldAPD

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,643
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
From what I've read some T2 are getting 100 strips a month ... I often test 7 times a day, that more like 200+ a month needed? I need to research the best value, I just keep ordering on Amazon with a couple of clicks