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Cheaper Test Strips

  • Thread starter Thread starter 999sugarbabe
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999sugarbabe

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Apologies in advance if anyone has already suggested this... :roll:

Isn't it possible for someone (or Diabetes.co.uk) to bulk purchase various types of test strips from the suppliers/manufacturers and sell them at a discount direct to those diabetics who have to purchase their own strips?
I'm sure a decent discount should be possible (for bulk ordering), and then that discount could be passed on.
 
It is an idea that has been floated before.The trouble is....which ones??There are so many different monitors around that buying bulk test strips to cover them all would be prohibitive.
 
I was thinking if it would be possible to do a "survey" of people interested in this scheme? So that people interested named their tester and there could perhaps be a "trial" with the 3 most popular models and if successful, expand as appropriate?

Obviously people should "sign up" in some way or another to make it work initially.

It is a jolly good idea and would need volounteers for admin work I am sure, and as a PA myself I would be more than happy to help out in that department.


Alice
 
Sounds a great idea in theory.

I just can't see any of the major Drugs Companies wanting to take a hit on their profits.
The nett prices for these things are astronomical. Averages of around £15 per tub of 50 strips.
Choices would be extremely limited if it ever got off the ground.
Still. One can but hope.

Ken.
 
The pharmacies make something like 80-100% profit on test strips when they sell them at full price, and they represent by far the biggest market to the manufacturers. It really can't see any manufacturer jeopardising their own profits by agreeing to sell to Diabetes.co.uk so that we could sell on at cost. Their pharmacy customers would simply switch to a different make. It would only work if every manufacturer agreed to supply us, then the pharnacies wouldn't have an alterbative make that they could switch to.

PS this is not intended to "knock" the pharmacies. They provide an invaluable service, but at the end of the day they are businesses whose survival relies on their making profits.
 
Sadly I think Dennis is right, the sort of volumes you'd need to get a reasonable discount from the manufacturers would also be a factor. And if you started to sell in those volumes the big pharmacy chains would certainly apply pressure.
 
If there is so much profit in making test strips start making them ourselves, well the NHS could start a prodution company that could make them, I`m sure that making one strip is no to differant from another so they could make all sorts.
At least it will make a profit even if sold at half price.And make a few jobs to.

At the end of the day what is a test strip; A slim plastic strip with two wires down to a v shaped cut away, Our blood makes the circuit so the meter can make a calulation, Its not dam rocket sience to make strips just profit.
Graham1441. :twisted: :twisted:
 
In an ideal world it's a great idea, but, unfortunately we dont live in that sort of world. Conditions like diabetes are "cash cows" for the drug companys and pharmacists. We are in their eyes damaged people who are expendable once we run out of money. Are we to believe the directors of Boots the chemists or any pharmacy or drug company is interested in "helping"? If someone needs something then the price go's up!
 
without sounding stupid or offensive .. i didnt think anyone with diabetes had to pay for blood test strips? or is this reffering to people with type 2 that is controlled by diet alone?
 
Unfortunately Ebony it all depends on your local PCT and your GP as to whether you get test strips prescribed. It is all down to costs.

Many people on here have to buy their own because they are not prescribed the strips by their GP's.

A lot are refused them because the GP's don't think that we need to test and that a HbA1c test is all that is required. We might get stressed by the testing ?

It matters not what type you are, or what diet or meds you take, some are finding it difficult to get what they need.

Ken.
 
This is an issue that frustrates us and we'd love to help the community. We are all ears for suggestions. We, and others before us, have tried petitions with little response.

The long-term benefits for the NHS are obvious...
 
I went to an insulin workshop shortly after i was diagnosed and a woman said she was only alowed one box a month as her doctor didnt think it was neccessary for her to test so much because she is type 2. obviously im not that knowledgable as most people as i havent been diagnosed long but long enough to know that i feel alot better when i can test as often as needed. luckily my doctor is very understanding as she has a 12 year old son who was diagnosed when he was four so she understands how important it is. and i ran out of test strips and had difficulty getting them over the weekend as my doctors has its own dispensary so i dont get give then part of the prescription i need to get them over the counter at a pharmacy in town as i live in a small village and she said i could buy them and claim the money back and it was going to cost 35 pounds for 100 strips so i see how expensive it is. i was just surious as to why some diabetics have to pay for test strips it seems higly unfair... just because of where you live or your doctors opinion :O(
 
Thirsty said:
Dennis said:
The pharmacies make something like 80-100% profit on test strips...
Click to expand...

Dennis, do you, (or does anyone else), have any idea how much the NHS actually pays for test strips provided on prescription?
Click to expand...


The prices to the NHS are listed in the BNF individually, manufacturer by manufacturer. The average price seems to be around £15+ per tub of 50 strips. These are Nett prices, I have no doubt that buying in bulk would result in large discounts.

Ken.
 
Thanks, Ken. Any idea what the unit cost is to produce them? I fully appreciate that the drug companies need to make profits to fund R&D, yet can't help feeling that they're making a little too much from these products.
 
Hi Thirsty

I have no idea of unit costs. I would imagine that is going to be Commercially sensitive information. I will try and find out if I can.

You only have to check a Drugs Company share price to see the sort of profits they are making.
For a better picture check out the Company reports. Mind boggling figures.
There is definitely something wrong here, however if you look at the Boards of these Companies it makes interesting reading. Former Politicians, etc etc. Read Private Eye for an in depth look at what people are involved in the 'Board' merry - go - round. Wheels within wheels ?

Ken
 
Ok hows this for an idear,
Spose we ask all MP`s who are up for election soon and in future, local goverment and europe, how they feel about test strips and if there not on our side no vote, simples.
There is enough of us to make MP`s sit up and take notice.
Graham 1441 :twisted: :twisted:
 
What a good idea Graham! Blackmail 'em into backing us!! :twisted:
 
Seems they have no problem claiming things, why cant we, we need test strips they dont need a moat cleaned.
Graham1441 :evil: :twisted: :evil: :twisted: :lol:
 
Wouldn't work, Graham. Only 60% of eligible voters bothered to vote in the last two general elections, and I seriously doubt that many of them put their crosses in the box due to a single issue the candidate supported. How many members do we have here? 16260 according to the statistics, and only a handful post regularly.

Hardly likely to present a meaningful challenge, are we?
 
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