Can I reverse the decision on my prescription?

[Anonymous Question]

Anonymous question submitted:

I am type 2 Diabetic. Many years ago it was suggested by my GP that I bought a blood sugar instrument to give me a benchmark and the test strips and lancets would be on repeat prescription. However, NICE have now decided that this is not necessary and have removed it from my repeat prescription. I would still like to be able to use this instrument but the strips and lancets are too expensive. Is there any way this decision could be reversed. Thank you

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[mo1905]

Depends, are you on any medication that could lower BG and cause a hypo ? Do you have good or poor control ? Ultimately, the guidelines are what they are so you will have very little luck demanding anything but you could try reasoning with them. Explain to them you are keen to monitor your own levels and this will hopefully lead to fewer complications etc, etc ! Maybe a compromise, some will provide a limited number of strips if you get your own meter. Most companies give these away free ! Good luck !


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[Daibell]

Hi. As far as I know NICE have not changed their recommendation for testing and in fact in the Oct 2012 update to the Pathways doc they imply testing can be useful. It sounds like your surgery is using NICE as an excuse to keep their budgets down. You can get a free meter from most manufacturers and you can buy strips cheaper on the web. You can even go to eBay and get them very cheaply but watch the end date. Lancets are quite cheap anyway and can be re-used.

 

[pav]

I had my strips re-added after I justified why I needed them ie on meds that can cause a hypo and DVLA's requirement to test before one drives on meds that can cause a hypo.