Boots told to stop selling Libre Sensors to patients!!

cool_blonde212003

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Something else that's irritating, it's been made into a Post Code Lottery. Let's all move to SW1A 2AA (downing Street). I bet her nibs doesn't have a problem getting hold of them, with or without a prescription.
Something else that's irritating, it's been made into a Post Code Lottery. Let's all move to SW1A 2AA (downing Street). I bet her nibs doesn't have a problem getting hold of them, with or without a prescription.

No doubt the PM has her private MP insurance to fund it if her CCG doesn’t. Unlike the majority of us who have had T1 for years (me since childhood) and we can’t get insurance cover for such things. My consultant actually asked if I had Insurance when I told him I was going to self fund. I laughed and said ‘I’ve had T1 since childhood who’s going to insure me for related expenses?!’
 

drahawkins_1973

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I bought 2 sensors from Boots in Reading yesterday. I asked and they said they hadn’t been told they can’t sell they them. Superdrug pharmacy was closed so don’t know what the situation is with them.
 
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cool_blonde212003

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I bought 2 sensors from Boots in Reading yesterday. I asked and they said they hadn’t been told they can’t sell they them. Superdrug pharmacy was closed so don’t know what the situation is with them.

Thanks for sharing I have just found out since beginning of May my CCG are now prescribing freestyle if patients meet specific criteria. I wonder if this has something to do with the prescription only rule in my area.......

Luckily I am seeing my Consultant on Wednesday so I am going to push for it until they sort out the IFA for CGM with alarm functionality
 

emmay

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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

Hiya, I think the reason they are cutting back when you order direct from Abbott’s and stopping from Boots and maybe other stores is that they have a massive shortage on supply. I presume because further to research saying that they benefit type 1&2 users and are especially good for younger children, they are now trying to keep up with demand. As noted below by others they used to let you order up to 10 at a time now you can only get 2 and because of that they cover delivery costs.

I saw others say super drugs sell them cheaper will defo check that out but will not stop getting them totally from Abbott’s as don’t want to risk not having any.

Hope you managed to sort
 

DavidGrahamJones

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The Abbott patent looks pretty tight at first reading.

The number of patents involved is interesting, as you say there won't be any generics for a while (2029?). A different technology is more likely to arrive on the scene.
 

Jellytots

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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
 
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Paul.l

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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
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
 
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Paul.l

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Messages
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Type of diabetes
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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
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
 

mansell

Newbie
Messages
1
Type of diabetes
Type 2
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
I buy mine on the internet if you are going to Spain all the Farmacia sell them can buy as many as you like.
Sylvia
 

cool_blonde212003

Active Member
Messages
27
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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
One might question what ideology underpins this and other equally flawed decisions...
 

Madmaureen

Well-Known Member
Messages
140
Type of diabetes
Type 1
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
Yes I have also experienced this and we are all.being held to ransom by abbott!!
Phone abbott and.state.a protest as I will be doing tomorrow!
It is scandous !
 

Gork

Well-Known Member
Messages
71
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
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
Isn't it interesting that you were told only after you had reached a critical point.
Apparently we are not important in this picture.
 

mefunk

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Messages
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Type 1
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Insulin
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?
 

smwsmw

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Can’t believe all this! Bloody ridiculous! I’ve been getting mine from Asda or Superdrug recently but just panic-ordered one from Abbott to keep my account active. My local CCG won’t fund them. We have enough **** to go through already and as everyone says, these things are life-changing. Will contact local Superdrug when they open and see if I can stock up a bit - only bought some last week and no maention of restrictions coming. grrrrr!
 

tim2000s

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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?
No. It's not. The Libre has been freely available to purchase for nearly four years in the UK. Distribution through pharmacies is purely to meet the requirement of them being available "on the NHS".

As a result, people using the work around of buying them from pharmacies is technically allowed, but inhibits Abbott's income.

What I suspect has happened is that Abbott has "complained" to the companies supplying pharmacy goods to punters that the price they have them for is only to the NHS, and not for direct sales, so they shouldn't be selling them direct, and if people turn up looking to buy them, they need to go to the Abbott website.

In the meantime, the NHS is operating a postcode lottery on what criteria you need to meet in order to get Libre on prescription while this process is making interest much greater, while Abbott is unable to supply enough to meet demand and you have to be an existing customer buying only two at a time, making it a bit of a ****show.

upload_2018-5-30_9-7-35.png


Resultant outcome is that, while it's available on the NHS, you still have to be lucky to get it, and if you are an existing user, you have to pay Abbott a ton of cash.

If you are not an existing user, and in one of the many areas where the NHS criteria are unhelpful, you are basically screwed.
 

JohnEGreen

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Holy fingers Batman, it looks like I shall not be using the Free Style Libre any time in the near future then
 

lorraine c

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Insulin
I wrote yesterday that for two months I have been trying to buy the libre starter pack am also on the abbots waiting list as they will not supply to new customers they explain they can’t keep up with demand .
Here in cornwall you can’t get it on the nhs so I was willing to buy , impossible
I spent all day yesterday trying to get hold of the sensors tried all pharmacies no joy I just think it’s an absolute shambles the way this has been handled every diabetic gets fed up with the finger prick test after years of it and when there is something that makes such a massive difference
To you it’s amazing but out of reach .
I was thinking of writing to the PM myself about it as a fellow type 1 she might have some sympathy
We will see .
 

andcol

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No. It's not. The Libre has been freely available to purchase for nearly four years in the UK. Distribution through pharmacies is purely to meet the requirement of them being available "on the NHS".

As a result, people using the work around of buying them from pharmacies is technically allowed, but inhibits Abbott's income.

What I suspect has happened is that Abbott has "complained" to the companies supplying pharmacy goods to punters that the price they have them for is only to the NHS, and not for direct sales, so they shouldn't be selling them direct, and if people turn up looking to buy them, they need to go to the Abbott website.

In the meantime, the NHS is operating a postcode lottery on what criteria you need to meet in order to get Libre on prescription while this process is making interest much greater, while Abbott is unable to supply enough to meet demand and you have to be an existing customer buying only two at a time, making it a bit of a ****show.

View attachment 26774

Resultant outcome is that, while it's available on the NHS, you still have to be lucky to get it, and if you are an existing user, you have to pay Abbott a ton of cash.

If you are not an existing user, and in one of the many areas where the NHS criteria are unhelpful, you are basically screwed.
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
 

DavidGrahamJones

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I was thinking of writing to the PM myself about it as a fellow type 1 she might have some sympathy

I've got my letter ready. If enough of us write, we might be lucky. I don't think she will have sympathy, just look at the lies she tells about the police force.
 

JohnEGreen

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So infuriated not just with them but myself also um and ah'd about for so long then when decided I wanted one can't get it :banghead: