IMHO getting test strips on free prescription and then selling them on eBay for profit is not a "victimless crime".
This is taking money out of a GP's already tight budget, and is not contributing to the health care for the patients of that practice. In fact, it is stealing from the practice and denying other patients use of that money for legitimate medications.
The fact that it appears to be widespread gives enormously strong ammunition to HCPs to refuse to prescribe test strips.
They see no good reason to fund someone's eBay account from dwindling resources.
Yes, buy direct from the supplier.
Yes, buy direct from medical wholesalers.
Please try not to buy small lots from people who are not obviously legitimate suppliers.
You are paying for these strips twice - once through taxes to fund the health service, then again to line the pockets of profiteers who are doing the cause of people with diabetes significant harm.
These people should not be encouraged!
Of course, if test strips were freely available there would not be the financial pressure to make money by petty fraud.
Cheers
LGC