in uk who pays for test strips, etc and who doesnt?

[silverpaul]

hello everyone.
i have a question, if someone has the answer that would help tremendously.
who in the uk has to pay for test strips, needles, lancets, meters, etc and who hasn't? i believe it depends on whether its type 1 or 2 and maybe other factors? could someone shed some light on this?
if there is government aid, how does it work and apply?
many thanks in advance,



paul

 

[acron^]

As far as I understand, neither Type 1 or 2 have to pay - the NHS grants free prescriptions to all Diabetics. However, I think the issue is that GPs are reluctant to prescribe test strips to Type 2s and so a lot of people just end up buying their own because either their GPs won't budge or they can't be bothered with the rigmarole of hassling the PCT.

 

[hanadr]

Where are you silver?
In the Uk we have a National Insurance scheme , which is paid into by all working people. the money is deducted direct from salary.
This pays for the National Health Service, which was set up in 1947 to provide medical care for all. It was visualised as free at the point of service. It's no longer that way for everyone. Under 16, over 60 , mothers in the first year after the birth and people with certain chronic conditions supposedly get everything free. In reality, there are PCTs Primary Care Trusts, who administer the funds and put limits on things. Medicines are free to the patients listed above, but many PCTs restrict the number of test strips to T2 diabetics. T1s usually get what they need and lancets, needles and pens are free to insulin users. I as a 60+ T2 diabetic, get my medicines free, but am only allowed 100 strips per year. I buy my own above that number. I'm not alone. I believe that some people fund hteir own Byetta. My PCT won't fund the newer Liraglutide. there are ways of challenging PCT decisions. You rea about them in the paprs somettimes when terminal cancer paients fight to get a medicine , whichwill giv them a few more months of a better quality of life.
I believe there's even an inventeed unit called something like a "qual", which is a measure of time and quality of life and is used o calculate whether a drug will be funded. Another way of cutting costs is to insist that pharmacies supply generic drugs, instead of branded ones and newer products don't get prescribed if it's deemed that existing ones are good enough.
Some drugs can only be prescribed by hospitals and are not accesssible to GPs. For example, Mu=y husband is T1 with chronic Kidney disease and he's just been prescribed Eprex, which will be delivered by refrigerated delivery van direct to our fridge. I don't know what that costs, but it can't be cheap. Only the hospital can prescribe this. I comes in pre loaded pens and I asked my vet brother for hte price. He thought about £25 a shot. I can't have a tub of tet strips which cost them about £11

 

[chrisbel]

I am type2 and pay for my prescriptions because I am not on medication (work colleagues who are also type 2 but on metaformin get them free) but my local surgery don't seem to worry about how many strips I use as yet. I have just ask them to increase my strips from 50 to 100.
Haven't had to ask for lancets for a while.

 

[Talia]

Hi
I am a T2 on insulin and get strips and lancets on prescription. I have never been limited for strips. However my husband has been asked by his GP not to test more than 2-3 times per week ( different GP's same practice) however my T2 husband is on oral meds only.
As mentioned previously by others; all diabetics on medication (for their diabetes) are eligible for free prescriptions from the NHS. To get this you need a form from your GP's surgery signed by your GP which you send off to the DOH. You will then be sent a card which you show at the pharmacy when collecting prescriptions.
Talia

 

[Marzeater]

My GP is under Knowsley Health care trust and he's been very good. I believe he is an expert in diabetes, a rare thing for a GP.
I get my prescriptions, meter, test strips etc. free.
Good thing too. What with £7.40 per item I could never afford to pay for it. My last prescription had 7 items on it.

Dave type 2 2008.

 

[Vivienne]

I have all my strips (no restriction), lancets, tablets and insulin on repeat prescription. I'm on Byetta (nearly 4 weeks) which I am currently paying for. My GP says he can start to prescribe it after 3 months, if I am OK on it.
Like most NHS issues it is a postal lottery. I'm in London, Barnet I'm type 2.
Vivienne

 

[cugila]

Hi Viviene.

I read your post and cannot understand why if your GP is willing to prescribe it after 3 months etc why he does not prescribe it now ? Is this a Private Doctor or an NHS GP Practice. :?

Ken.

 

[Vivienne]

Ken,
NHS, my GP says it's 'amber', ie he can't prescribe it until there is a guarantee that Byetta is working for me?
Vivienne

 

[cugila]

Thanks Vivienne.
As far as I can make out this is something particular to your area.

AMBER (2) - Drugs that should normally be initiated by a specialist and prescribed by GP’s under a shared care guideline agreed by the NEEMMC. These would normally also be covered by an additional Local Enhanced Service in primary care.

AMBER (1) - Drugs that can only be prescribed in general practice after specialist referral and initiation. The patient would normally be stabilised before prescribing responsibility is devolved. A shared care guideline is not required.

AMBER 1.
My understanding of this is that if you had been referred to a Specialist who had wanted you to go on Byetta, then it could have been prescribed on the NHS. See above. It may be advisable to discuss this with your GP ? I don't see why you should have to pay £68 per 30 days when the majority in the UK get it on prescription. :?

Ken.

 

[Dennis]

Hi Vivienne,

I had the same trouble with Byetta prescriptions. I was originally prescribed them by a private consultant (but recommended by my GP) but my GP wouldn't take over the prescribing until there was incontrovertible evidence of it working better than anything else the GP could have prescribed. I had to pay privately for about 8 months before my GP took over. Incidentally I found that all but one chemist charged betweem £102-106 per pen. The one exception was Boots at £92.

 

[Vikingepigen]

My GP has flatly refused to prescribe teststrips and lancets (as many other GPs do - you will read the horror stories on this forum) and even told me that the NHS does not support self testing for T2!!

However, I have logged a formal complaint with the PCT, so shall be interesting to see if he changes his mind! :lol:


Alice

 

[graham64]

This is off topic but Alice your weight loss is amazing,must have cost you a fortune to replace your wardrobe.

Regards
Graham

 

[Vivienne]

Ken,
I wish it was £68 a month, I am paying £102.
Incidentally, my specialist said that in Camden the NHS will not pay for Byetta at all!
Barnet is one of the better London areas.
Vivienne

 

[cugila]

Hi Vivienne.

Sorry, I should have put nett cost after the £68. I still think the way you are being treated is scandalous. Such is life.

Ken.

 

[Graham1441]

hello everyone.
i have a question, if someone has the answer that would help tremendously.
who in the uk has to pay for test strips, needles, lancets, meters, etc and who hasn't? i believe it depends on whether its type 1 or 2 and maybe other factors? could someone shed some light on this?
if there is government aid, how does it work and apply?
many thanks in advance,



paul

I was told i could have enough strips for two tests a week even though i drive a 7.5 tonne van.
I complained to my local PCT and they told my doctor to give me as many as i wanted.
Job done.
PS; If you do have to pay ask for the VAT back.
Graham1441 :twisted: :twisted:

 

[1970]

if i had to pay would not test my self but i got a nhs card for meds free now i dont pay i take my bp tablets well was but getting side efects now

 

[Dennis]

Hi 1970,

Your NHS card means that you don't have to pay for the prescriptions that your doctor gives you. It doesn't allow you to just walk into a chemists and get things free unless you have a prescription. The problem that many here are reporting is that their doctors won't give them prescriptions for test strips.

 

[1970]

i get mine at same time as other bit had no probs but thats mad not getting them on prescription

 

[Graham1441]

Mad it may be but first it saves money for the NHS, Health and life come second.
Graham1441 :twisted: :twisted: