Annoying!

I have big issues with GP's and prescriptions.
It has taken me a long time to get them to put 3 boxes of test strips per prescription. Before they would only prescribe one a time (50 strips) and I would use them in just over a week. So was forever at the docs putting another repeat in every week.

Have u tried just putting a repeat in? Or seeing a different doctor maybe.

Give your DSN a call I'm sure she will help


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Sarahstar82 said:

Called the doctors to increase the amount of test strips only to be told my maximum allowance is 250 strips! I explained that I'm pregnant and due to constant changes some weeks I test more than others. I'm down to 2 boxes which may or may not last me till the end of the month. I feel I know have to rashen these last 100 test strips! All I want is an extra 2 boxes just as a precaution! I now have to hunt down a midwife or my DSN so they can confirm I need to do extra testing!!! Anybody would have thought I was after a class A drug

Some days I wish I never had to deal with the GPs! Sorry for the rant needed to express my annoyance. And breath.......


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Are they saying you can only have 250 per repeat, or 250 per month?

If it's per repeat, just put your request to have you repeat prescription in more frequently - if they want to deny it when you have put the request to have it filled in, they are going to have to come up with a good clinical reason to do so, and they won't have one. I mean, it's a pain in the bum admin process for you, but it will get you the strips.

If it's per month, you should point out to them that that "rule" is directly contrary to the NICE guidelines on supporting type 1 diabetics in monitoring their blood sugar - https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng17/chapter/1-Recommendations#blood-glucose-management-2

NG 17 1.6.11 set out that type 1 diabetics should be supported to test up to 10 times a day when pregnant, or more if necessary (that's key bit for you, but it's bit broader than that). Again, they are going to need very good clinical justifications for contravening the NICE guidelines and I bet if asked they won't have any - press them on it, with the aid of a copy of the guidelines, and I'm sure they will cave.

Get in touch with your DSN/midwife and I'm sure they will add support.

Hi @Sarahstar82 thats just ridiculous. Do they not understand the impact of not monitoring blood sugars especially when pregnant it's hard enough! I would get your dsn/consultant to write to them saying not to limit them as its clinical necessity. Plus you have to test when you drive anyway. all this rationing just annoys me when actually it's more likely to save money longer term from reducing complications let alone a high risk pregnancy. I feel your pain! Luckily my strips are not rationed through both of my pregnancies but tbh I had good female gps which I think always helps. Big hugs x

Sarahstar82 said:

Called the doctors to increase the amount of test strips only to be told my maximum allowance is 250 strips! I explained that I'm pregnant and due to constant changes some weeks I test more than others. I'm down to 2 boxes which may or may not last me till the end of the month. I feel I know have to rashen these last 100 test strips! All I want is an extra 2 boxes just as a precaution! I now have to hunt down a midwife or my DSN so they can confirm I need to do extra testing!!! Anybody would have thought I was after a class A drug

Some days I wish I never had to deal with the GPs! Sorry for the rant needed to express my annoyance. And breath.......


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It sounds like pure ignorance to me. I've often had problems with getting enough strips, including during pregnancy. I got my DSN to fax a letter to my surgery.

The rationing of strips makes me very angry What do they think - we just test our blood sugar because we haven't got anything else to do??

Don't miss tests - speak to the surgery and your DSN and get some more strips as soon as possible and have the number increased on your repeat prescription so you don't have all this hassle next time (believe me, it's possible).

what a brilliant thread -- @Sarahstar82
you go get em girl !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It took me years to get my 300 per month I get -- taking in a daily pump journal can help
or take your meter in and wave it around in their faces-- and Say to them -- if you don't believe me -- download all my data
my 5.5% comes directly from what you're reading off my meter
grrrrrrrrrr ! big hugs and support from me !!!

( and fab news with your pregnancy too )

I had this during my last pregnancy! The surgery phoned me and said, "do you realise how many strips you are using at the moment?" My reply was'" I think my flaming fingertips could tell u that!!!" (The reply in my head was slightly more explicit!!)

This time my diabetes centre ask me every time I'm there if I need anything! Which is amazing!

I think it's stupid! Do they think we can't to be testing this much!! Maybe they think we do it for fun and it's not a necessity to keep ourselves and our babies healthy!! Good luck!! Defo throw the guidelines at them!!


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My DSN and consultant always ask me if I have everything I need.

Perhaps they think we're selling them on the black market to T2s?

Thankfully I have not had any issues with getting test strips. My consultant at the hospital did say, though, that he will write me a prescription if I had any issues whatsoever. Might be worth asking yours if he/she could do the same?