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Buying a Freestyle Libre Monitor and Sensors

Alineden

Alineden

Well-Known Member
Messages
136
Location
West Cumbria
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Tablets (oral)
Dislikes
Not much really
Hi. Is there anywhere you can buy a Freestyle Libre monitor and sensors over the counter?
 
You can get the sensors from a couple of places, I used to buy mine from my local Asda pharmacy (I think Superdrug is the other place), the reader I don't think you can buy over the counter, but if your mobile phone has NFC then you should be able to use it to scan the sensors (note there may be some that it just doesn't work on - but I cam't find the link for the information)
 
I bought mine directly from the company online. The starter pack was the reader and 2 sensors for £160. I've just had the GP do me a private prescription for them (I don't qualify under the nhs rules) and Asda has said £42 for each sensor but they sell them at just over £46. Boots near here no longer sell them but the prescription cost was £46iah for each one. Swetenhams wanted £107 for the 2
 
Here in France they are only 35 euro's used to be 50 euros but then a lot more people have them in France 100% free on the health system
 
I think Abbott have stopped selling to new customers online, so it might be difficult to get a starter pack from them. You can most certainly buy the sensors from any pharmacy. You just have to ask in advance and prices vary.
 
Don’t forget as a diabetic you should be getting them vat free. May have to sign a declaration though.
 
It turn out Asda will order them in for me at a cost of £57.99
 
Alineden said:
It turn out Asda will order them in for me at a cost of £57.99
Click to expand...
Ask them for a VAT exemption form - you are allowed to get it VAT free as long as you are diagnosed as diabetic (I had to fill in one every time I got mine from Asda)
 
The Asda near here charges £46 for them without VAT. I had a private prescription from my GP and paid £42 for each one. I rang them this morning (rung round a few places over the last couple of days) and they were the cheapest and they said they had loads in stock. When I got there someone was buying about 10 of them but luckily they had 2 left for me. I bought the meter directly from Abbott but had to register interest with an email address and then got an invite email saying I could now purchase if I wanted to. Asda were the cheapest. It pays to ring round. One pharmacy wanted £107 and the one closest to my gp it's the same price as on the Abbott website
 
Rokaab said:
You can get the sensors from a couple of places, I used to buy mine from my local Asda pharmacy (I think Superdrug is the other place), the reader I don't think you can buy over the counter, but if your mobile phone has NFC then you should be able to use it to scan the sensors (note there may be some that it just doesn't work on - but I cam't find the link for the information)
Click to expand...
The Freestyle Libre website has full information about your mobile phone suitability. You may also call their helpline to confirm
 
The Abbott Freestyle Libre site is currently restricting sales to existing customers - I've just checked.
 
How do we go about saving the VAT


I am apparently ellilegable despite being a type 1 for over 18 months...however I have managed to buy my very own first sensor today at a cost £57.95 ...the sensor only lasts 2 week max until I purchase the next one.

It's a struggle to purchase libre / abbot claim limited stock (since June 2019) ....but managed to find one after months of trying everywhere from my local Tesco pharmacy.

Really disappointed as to why I have to struggle to find this and even more why the NHS discriminates against me because I dutifully like so many pay taxes and never claimed benefits......even the diabetes specialists at my hospital are at a loss.

NHS has yet again failed the taxpayer .....it needs scrapping and privatising.....currently for me that is the case...I pay through nose and get nothing in return.

God sake I only have a chronic condition.
Glucobabu said:
A very good reminder for all diabetics purchasing medical aids privately to save 20% on the price.
Click to expand...
 
I buy from Asda.
I fill in a form each time to be able to buy VAT free.
So far they have always had them in stock when I turn up on spec.
The most that I have bought at one time is 4.
I buy several because it is a long drive to Asda.
 
Samitmohal said:
How do we go about saving the VAT


I am apparently ellilegable despite being a type 1 for over 18 months...however I have managed to buy my very own first sensor today at a cost £57.95 ...the sensor only lasts 2 week max until I purchase the next one.

It's a struggle to purchase libre / abbot claim limited stock (since June 2019) ....but managed to find one after months of trying everywhere from my local Tesco pharmacy.

Really disappointed as to why I have to struggle to find this and even more why the NHS discriminates against me because I dutifully like so many pay taxes and never claimed benefits......even the diabetes specialists at my hospital are at a loss.

NHS has yet again failed the taxpayer .....it needs scrapping and privatising.....currently for me that is the case...I pay through nose and get nothing in return.

God sake I only have a chronic condition.
Click to expand...
Usually I have to show my NHS medical exemption card and fill out a form to get VAT off when purchasing sensors over the counter. By the way your profile says you're type 2.
I also don't know if you have spoken with your consultant about getting them on the NHS, along with the criteria to be considered for one. You can argue differently if you don't fit the criteria for one.
 
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