They do say to do a control solution test with every new pot of new strips (or cassette in your case Pinewood), but tbh I rarely do a control test, only ever do one when I doubt the accuracy of the meter, which the manufacturers say you should do when you believe you have an incorrect reading and suspect that the meter might be faulty.
As for how long the solution would last, the amount supplied should last 3 months as your just using one drop at a time.