Insulin pens problem

[Gloucestergirl]

I wondered if anyone had been having trouble with their Novopen Echo Plus pens regarding the display? I had a pen replaced after five mnths use when the display stopped working and received a second pen on 28th March but noticed a few days ago that the display is blank, just like the previous one. Ones I have had before have said END but these two just went blank and as they are supposed to last several years I am reluctant to go back to the surgery and ask for another one after such a short time so am having to make sure that I record the dose on my Libre app as there are times that I am sure other people have experienced too ,of forgetting whether I did the injection or not. I wondered if the battery had run out because the dose button has popped out but apparently the display only stays on for 10 seconds and then it goes out so it shouldn't be draining the battery I would have thought. Just asking in case there is a manufacturing fault with some pens.

 

[Nicola M]

According to the manual it means it has a flat battery. Can’t say I ever used the dose reminder function but regardless of the state it is left in the battery shouldn’t run flat that quickly as they’re supposed to last for 4-5 years.

The pens have a 3 year warranty, have you tried to take it back to where you got it from to request a warranty replacement?

 

[Jaylee]

Hi,

Can you still tansfer the dosage in the pen memory via the NFC to the Libre app?

 

[BadaBing]

I wondered if anyone had been having trouble with their Novopen Echo Plus pens regarding the display? I had a pen replaced after five mnths use when the display stopped working and received a second pen on 28th March but noticed a few days ago that the display is blank, just like the previous one. Ones I have had before have said END but these two just went blank and as they are supposed to last several years I am reluctant to go back to the surgery and ask for another one after such a short time so am having to make sure that I record the dose on my Libre app as there are times that I am sure other people have experienced too ,of forgetting whether I did the injection or not. I wondered if the battery had run out because the dose button has popped out but apparently the display only stays on for 10 seconds and then it goes out so it shouldn't be draining the battery I would have thought. Just asking in case there is a manufacturing fault with some pens.

According to the instructions, etc that come with them, the NovoPen Echo Plus insulin pen is supposed to come with a three year warranty.

In England Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of the insulin pen, is primarily responsible for honouring that warranty.

If you believe the replacement insulin pen you have is faulty, contact Novo Nordisk in the UK. Explain what the problem is, provide the serial number of the pen (which should be on the packaging that the pen came in), when you received your pen, and (if applicable) which pharmacy supplied the replacement (if Novo Nordisk provided the replacement to you directly tell them so).

Can't guarantee that Novo Nordisk won't suggest that you contact your GP to prescribe a new pen (they shouldn't do that because that isn't honouring the warranty that comes with the product).

Good luck!

 

[becca59]

As others have said the pens come with a warranty. There was a slip in mine when I got it which I filled in.

 

[Gloucestergirl]

Thank you for your replies. When my previous pen went blank after five months the diabetes nurse put a request in for a new one and I received it on 28th March and even then I didn't use it straight away but the pen only lasted two months before it went blank. I haven't tried getting in touch with Novo Nordisk but will give it a try but it does say that they will replace a faulty pen but you have to return it to your supplier for inspection within three years of receiving it and to enclose the receipt. I never had a receipt as it was from the surgery and never kept the packaging but I could send them the LOT number off the pen and see what they say.

 

[BadaBing]

Thank you for your replies. When my previous pen went blank after five months the diabetes nurse put a request in for a new one and I received it on 28th March and even then I didn't use it straight away but the pen only lasted two months before it went blank. I haven't tried getting in touch with Novo Nordisk but will give it a try but it does say that they will replace a faulty pen but you have to return it to your supplier for inspection within three years of receiving it and to enclose the receipt. I never had a receipt as it was from the surgery and never kept the packaging but I could send them the LOT number off the pen and see what they say.

Don't worry too much about a receipt. Novo Nordisk are well acquainted with how the United Kingdom healthcare system works. They will be well aware that no one who is prescribed an insulin pen, or who receives one during a diabetes clinic, receives a "receipt."

You should be able to provide sufficient details about precisely from whom and when the pen was provided to you.

Also, don't be too concerned about having thrown your packaging away either. Most consumers do. I tend to keep mine much longer than I should (but that's just me).

I assume they can run some sort of "diagnostic" tests to find out the serial and batch numbers of your faulty pen. Most medical device manufacturers should be able to do this.

My NovoPen Echo Plus pen has just stopped working 2½ years after I picked it up following my GP prescribing it. Novo Nordisk UK are sending me a pre-paid envelope so I can send it (and the packaging it came in) to them. Apparently, once they are satisfied that my pen falls within the terms of their guarantee, they will then issue some form of "voucher" so I can buy a replacement.

 

[Ushthetaff]

I’ve had it but because they still deliver insulin I still use them. I just order a new one from the doctor as I do find them handy as they remind me if I’ve taken my insulin

 

[Jaylee]

Just out of curiosity @Gloucestergirl .

Do you keep your insulin in use along with your pen in the fridge perchance?

 

[BadaBing]

I’ve had it but because they still deliver insulin I still use them. I just order a new one from the doctor as I do find them handy as they remind me if I’ve taken my insulin

It was like pulling hen's teeth trying to get the NovoPen Echo Plus pen in the first place from my GP surgery. The grief I got from my surgery's Pharmacist was unbelievable. I know my GP surgery will be very reluctant to pay for a new pen when it's only lasted 2½ years (the surgery Pharmacist will be well aware Novo Nordisk claim the pens should last 4-5 years).

These pens are useful for recording the date, time and units of insulin dosed and transferring (via the LibreLink app) that data electronically to Abbott's Libreview platform to which my diabetes clinicians have access. It takes the hassle out of remembering.

Happy to buy a new NovoPen Echo Plus pen if necessary. But the NHS Formulary(?) suggests that if the NHS prescribe the pen for a patient, it costs the NHS just over £26. If a patient self funds the NovoPen Echo Plus it can be anything up to £57-£60 paying privately. So want to see if Novo Nordisk will honour their guarantee first.

 

[Jaylee]

It was like pulling hen's teeth trying to get the NovoPen Echo Plus pen in the first place from my GP surgery. The grief I got from my surgery's Pharmacist was unbelievable.

Hi,

That’s kind of strange..

In my experience I have them on my prescription list & have 2 spares.
Though I haven’t needed to order one in a long time?

 

[BadaBing]

Hi,

That’s kind of strange..

In my experience I have them on my prescription list & have 2 spares.
Though I haven’t needed to order one in a long time?

I'm told (by some healthcare lawyers I know) that I live in one of the worst integrated care systems/integrated care boards in England in terms of health outcomes.

In the past, I've have had my surgery's Pharmacist telephone me out of the blue while I was at work to remind me that if my Libre sensors end before their 14 day period ends, then I must contact Abbott rather than ask for the two sensors a month I am entitled to according to the agreed rules.

I have constant "battles" with my surgery's Pharmacist about my having sufficient blood test strips because I have access to the Libre system. The Pharmacist knows just as well as I do (or he ought to know) that if you drive, current DVLA rules say you must have access to blood testing strips and a glucometer and must test your blood sugar with a blood test if your cgm reads 4.0 mmol/l or below (or you feel symptoms of hypoglycemia, or if your symptoms do not match your cgm reading).

In my local ICS/ICB balancing the local NHS budget is more important than providing patient care.

 

[Jaylee]

I'm told (by some healthcare lawyers I know) that I live in one of the worst integrated care systems/integrated care boards in England in terms of health outcomes.

In the past, I've have had my surgery's Pharmacist telephone me out of the blue while I was at work to remind me that if my Libre sensors end before their 14 day period ends, then I must contact Abbott rather than ask for the two sensors a month I am entitled to according to the agreed rules.

In my local ICS/ICB balancing the local NHS budget is more important than providing patient care.

Wow! Sorry to hear that..
I can order when I like.

I knew my last sensor would run out & not cover a holiday we were on late last year so I ordered early with no questions asked..
I normally have a 2 day wait on orders, but sometimes the chemist says they can do them right now?
I did have a sensor go down a couple of months back. Rang Abbott which they replaced. But found my chemist a little quicker on the order as the dodgy sensor was my last one.

It just meant a 2 week longer delay before I required the next batch…

Having said that. My actual diabetic team at the hospital. No words can express my disappointment without getting slapped for inappropriate language..

 

[BadaBing]

Wow! Sorry to hear that..
I can order when I like.

I knew my last sensor would run out & not cover a holiday we were on late last year so I ordered early with no questions asked..
I normally have a 2 day wait on orders, but sometimes the chemist says they can do them right now?
I did have a sensor go down a couple of months back. Rang Abbott which they replaced. But found my chemist a little quicker on the order as the dodgy sensor was my last one.

It just meant a 2 week longer delay before I required the next batch…

Having said that. My actual diabetic team at the hospital. No words can express my disappointment without getting slapped for inappropriate language..

My GP is a good person and will usually do the right thing by his patients. It's just a palaver having to get past the surgery Pharmacist first, who acts as a financial "gatekeeper."

I feel your pain as far as your hospital team is concerned. I literally cannot remember the last time I saw or heard from my DSN.

Diabetes care at our local hospital was bad pre Covid, awful during Covid and is dreadful post Covid.

I've been waiting the best part of two years to go on a hybrid closed loop. Have heard absolutely nothing from our hospital other than the paperwork is being completed. I'm so angry about the lack of communication I can only laugh. It reminds me of this funny joke that the late, great Ronnie Corbett once told on "The Two Ronnie's."

I've never experienced this level of "not being kept informed" before. I know that it wouldn't be tolerated in my profession.