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cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit pen!

K

kimkennedy1989

Well-Known Member
Messages
45
Location
Scotland
Hi all

I collected my repeat prescription today and was given half my normal amount of test strips.....has this happened to anyone else?

I get 25 strips per box (normally 2 boxes) so I'm now going to be ordering weekly rather than fortnightly (unless I'm ill or need to test more regularly due to hypos ect) so I'm constantly going to be requesting prescriptions!

I also requested a glucagon hypokit pen as my current one is due to expire...the note left from my GP was 'unable to prescribe within 12 months of last one due to costing £12 each'. That's ridiculous! If I had became unconscious and had to use the current one, they wouldn't give me another until it was passed the 12 months???

Anyone else having issues with prescriptions or their GP?


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Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

Bloody hell!! Get onto your hospital dsn or consultant a.s.a.p never had a problem with this but a type 1 on insulin needs to test at least 4 times a day minimum. Add on top extra tests to be legal to drive. Some more for exercise etc. mine are in tubs of 50 and get 6 boxes on repeat, (300) usually lasts 4~6 weeks, but can reorder whenever. Get your hospital team to tell your surgery to issue you with a reasonable amount. Doctors should not ration strips for insulin users, and have apparently been notified of this.

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Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

I agree with Brett. if you on insulin, kick up a storm. Testing 6-8 times a day is beneficial and thats not including hypos or sick days.
I recently ordered test strips and got 10 boxes! My Gp gives me everything I need and more.
 
Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

This is the first time in 5 years I've ever had an issue, I was mortified standing in the doctors surgery as there were people waiting behind me. I had asked them a while ago to double my test strips up so I'd only need to order every 4 weeks but it didn't happen and now it's as though I'm getting rations. I don't understand how anyone can determine how many times in a day you test...surely that depends on how good your control is and your general well-being?

I'm glad you both seem to agree with me, I didn't know if I was over reacting or if this was a common thing. Will call over to my dsn tomorrow and let her know

Thanks


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Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

re glucagon kit costing £12
That compares with the alternative
The average cost per emergency call was £263.
Click to expand...
Incidence and costs of severe hypoglycaemia requiring attendance by the emergency medical services in South Central England
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22435781
I'd show your doctor the expiry date.
I would add that I do worry about the cost of unused kits. My pharmacist (in France) said to give him advance notice that I'm about to need a new one .He then obtains a kit with the longest possible expiry date.
 
Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

Thanks Phoenix I just think it's completely and utterly petty and small minded to bring up the cost of something that can save a diabetics life...that's a rather good idea, I think I'll try that with my pharmacist too!


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Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

sounds like your GP is out of touch with Diabetic care. Perhaps you should think of changing GP to a practice who are more diabetes aware
 
Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

This might be down to the practice manager and not the GP but does need to be sorted out as bolus basal insulin regime is dangerous to use without sufficient means to test bg levels and could result in admittance to hospital.
 
Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

Thanks everyone for your responses I'm gonna call my dsn tomorrow for some advice as the note attached to my prescription was hand written and signed by my GP so I'll speak to her and she what she thinks about it, then take it from ther


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Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

Bordering the ridiculous denying a type 1 a Glucagon Kit

As to the test strips, back in February this year all GP Practices, Hospital Clinics and PCT's were sent a letter from the Dept of Health advising them not to restrict the issuing of test strips to type 1 diabetics, here is the letter to read Kim and you may want to print it off and take along to show your gp or gp practice manager:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/s ... abetes.pdf
 
Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

Well it's safe to say that my dsn was livid when I told her what happened. She sent a 'strongly worded' email to my GP and got a prescription faxed across for a months supply of test strips

hopefully I won't have any further issues but I will print and keep a copy of that just in case noblehead


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Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

Kimkenerdy. Get on to your local ccg or you mp.the docters sugeries are sods at playing gods. I would not pay some of these doctors in washers. Ask advice from NICE on google.remember the goverment are trying to cut costs. Diabeties uk will tell you that diabetic care has been cut back.remember the medical profesion are in it for money not your health. So you hsave to fight like hell. You are entitled to strips for testing go and see what PALs can do for you.having said that I was threatened with being struck off. For complaining to PAL s. Not all doctors are nasty but a hell of a lot are sadly.these days patients, or customers as we are now called
Under this commersial nhs are regarded as a pain! the medical proffesion would much prefer not to have patients but swan around. Just picking up the money. Things have changed when you had a caring proffesion not any longer.
Ro
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Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

Hi kimkennedy glad you have managed to get sorted, we don't need this additional anxiety on top of everything else do we? Whenever I go to pick up my supplies I'm always thinking what will be "withheld" or "rationed" this time. Take care x :clap:
 
Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

Well done kim, glad u got it sorted. Well done your dsn too, thought he/she wouldn't be happy about it. Unlike the majority of gps they understand the importance.

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Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

Thanks bram, it's just a joke to be treated like you're asking for something you shouldn't be getting or aren't entitled to...

Yeah coco, I completely agree with you there, I've been fretting about it since yesterday which resulted in a migraine and very little sleep last night. Just glad everyone on here seems to agree and see things from my point of view

I know Brett, pat wasn't happy at all. I've never heard anyone type so quickly lol. I'm glad she sent the email on my behalf too, saves me having to have the awkward conversation with my GP or one of the receptionists


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Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

Years ago glucagon was able to be bought and prescribed as available in 2 vials, one with glucagon in and the other with saline. They needed to be mixed together using a disposable syringe and although there was a use by date stamped on the packaging, because the glucagon was not already mixed with the saline, there was more or less an indefinite. I still have mine from the 80's and when I asked at a pharmacy whether I should throw it away, I was told no as it only needs to be disposed of if not used but mixed together. May be CCGs should look at finding a supplier of glucagon injections who can issue vials instead of the throw away kits..........
 
Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

Hope you get more sleep and have a better night tonight kimkennedy and that your migraine disappears. I'm off to collect a prescription tomorrow so fingers crossed
 
Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

Yeah I definitely agree, maybe the original method is best rather than ones that expire after a year or so

Thanks coco felt better after speaking to my dsn today and getting things sorted out


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Re: cutting test strips and refusing to prescribe a hypokit

kimkennedy1989 said:
Well it's safe to say that my dsn was livid when I told her what happened. She sent a 'strongly worded' email to my GP and got a prescription faxed across for a months supply of test strips
Click to expand...


It's amazing what a 'strongly worded' email from a specialist can change do, pleased you got sorted Kim :thumbup:
 
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