Type 2 Availability of SD CodeFree lancets from the NHS

davidmillan said:

I've just had a call from the Receptionist to tell me that the strips have been added to my prescription but SD lancets are unavailable..

Click to expand...

Does seem a bit bizarre. My doctor won't supply anything so I buy my own (T2)

davidmillan said:

Hi,
My old meter needed to be replaced so last week I bought a SD CodeFree based on the comments in this forum about the low retail costs. Today i asked my GP for strips and lancets.
I've just had a call from the Receptionist to tell me that the strips have been added to my prescription but SD lancets are unavailable ie not on her computer list I assume. I suggested that I could use One Touch Verio lancets but was told that these were also not available.

I've now ordered some lancets from eBay so its not a problem for me to pay for them as I only test for a few weeks to provide a record prior to a consultation with the Community Diabetes Specialist.

However it seems like an odd situation. Is it an NHS, CCG or a GP issue do you think?
Any suggestions please.

Click to expand...

SD Codefree supplies are available on prescription, but a number of practices and pharmacies sometimes have trouble locating them on their systems. Was it the GP or Pharmacist who couldn't find them?

Apparently, the Codefree supplies can be routinely ordered from Alliance Healthcare via their specials (this is a term familiar to pharmacies/pharmacists), but once they have been ordered once, they will be more readily viewable on the pharmacy ordering system. Perhaps they have never been asked for the lancets before, as so many reuse the lancets several times before chaning them.

Perhaps ask again and see if you can clarify exactly wop is having the issue.

I seem to remember similar issues with obtaining SD consumables on prescription a while back. I believe it was resolved by contacting the suppliers and getting an NHS code to quote on the prescriptions.

But since lancets and their application tools are not always an integral part of a meter, it's not actually necessary to have them to "match" it so you could opt for any acceptable alternatives if obtaining the SD ones proves a serious issue. So I use an Accu-Chek Fastclix pricky tool and lancets with a Bayer meter (all have to be self funded). I'm happy to reuse mine as they come in little enclosed drums of 6 which are inserted into the Fastclix so never really see the light of day - but have a search around the forum as there's been a number of threads about reusing lancets - or not.

Robbity

davidmillan said:

It was the GP's receptionist who deals with prescriptions that couldn't find it. I don't know if it was a hard copy of something she was using or a computer database. I will pop into Llyods in the morning to see what they have to say as they are supplying the strips.
Reusing lancets? I've done that once by accident but never considered it as a regular feature. Didn't even imagine that it was a common thing to do.

Click to expand...

Well, reusing lancets isn't the officially recommended way to go about things, but lots of people seem to, with no ill-effect. I wouldn't want to suggest you change your habits in this regard.

If your Lloyds orders your Codefree strips they are probably aware of any of the initial challenges, and may be able to help shed light on the lancets situation.

Suggest you ask your pharmacist which lancets ARE available from your surgeryand see which ones will "fit".

davidmillan said:

Home Health have advised me as follows:
"Currently we are unable to offer our lancets via prescription. We are looking to get these added to the system but it is very costly and time consuming."

The pharmacist was helpful but found that these lancets were not supplied by the wholesaler used by Lloyds and special orders would be expensive (£20 delivery) for them. Didn't say as much but it looked as though they would not want to dispense them.
I await to find out about the strips which the GP has signed off.
I have another lancet and will speak to my GP people in the morning.

David

Click to expand...

Thanks for coming back to us.

Lancets tend to be pretty generic, as far as I have seen. I'm using the Codefree meter and strips, but a BG MyStar SylkFeel lancing device (Yes, that's how it is printed on the device), and the Codefree lancets from the original Codefree (in the starter kit) lancing device work perfectly with it. I'm pretty certain you won't be stuck, but to be honest they're the cheapest part of the kit, at about £4-£5.

I use BGstar lancets with my Bayer or Glucoject dual plus lancing device have never asked for them to be changed as they fit don't think there is much difference in price

I only change my needle once a week