New meter forced on me by my doctors

laharvey999 said:

Checking I find by old meter has 100% accuracy the new one 94% so I am now left not knowing which is correct. Anyone else had a similar problem?

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How did you get those percentages out of interest?

No meter has 100% accuracy, but all CE marked meters must comply with a certain accuracy margin. Although your new meter is reading slightly different to your old one, it's nothing to be concerned about as it's entirely unavoidable. The important thing is that you keep using one of the meters at a time and keep an eye on your trends.

http://www.diabetes.co.uk/blood-glucose-meters/blood-glucose-meter-accuracy.html

No meter is perfect but the newer the tech the better the result.

This seems to be a general thing as my surgery has sent out a similar letter for all diabetic patients with a meter to go on to a different meter. I suspect it's partly to do with getting everyone on the same meter so that the surgery can order the test strips in bulk and negotiate a better rate perhaps. Sounds sensible to me as, over time, patients will all end up with different meters so, periodically, a change such as this.

Energize said:

This seems to be a general thing as my surgery has sent out a similar letter for all diabetic patients with a meter to go on to a different meter. I suspect it's partly to do with getting everyone on the same meter so that the surgery can order the test strips in bulk and negotiate a better rate perhaps. Sounds sensible to me as, over time, patients will all end up with different meters so, periodically, a change such as this.

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Won't the pharmacies be the ones ordering? My gp gives me the prescription but I can dispense it anywhere.

I can imagine they are hoping to put everyone on the cheapest though, not sure 9f they can force people?

Energize said:

This seems to be a general thing as my surgery has sent out a similar letter for all diabetic patients with a meter to go on to a different meter. I suspect it's partly to do with getting everyone on the same meter so that the surgery can order the test strips in bulk and negotiate a better rate perhaps. Sounds sensible to me as, over time, patients will all end up with different meters so, periodically, a change such as this.

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You're right in what you say @Energize, one of the Dr's at my Clinic did say that it was a preference for all diabetics to be using the same meter. I'd imagine this is typically the case nationwide.

And typically, that's because the strips cost less and therefore the CCG gets charged less. It's all very simple.

Go to your GP and ask he/she to show you the cost of both strips, you may find there is very little difference , GP may let you have strips you want. Mine did

Query re your GPs providing the test strips.

I live in Australia and test strips are subsidised by the government and controlled by the 'National Diabetic Services Scheme'. We can go to any supplier, usually a designated pharmacy, and purchase what ever we need. Your records are maintained on a national register, which is checked each time you purchase, so that you are not purchasing excessive supplies. We might have an issue over here where people are buying or trying to buy subsidised medicines and sending them overseas.

My question is I wonder what the cost impact, if any, would be if your GP had teststrips for a variety of glucometers? Does the clinic pay for these or are they subsidised my the government or other authority, how does this work in the UK?

Lower cost of goods because of a bulk purchase might be appropriate for some things but medical supplies of a GP clinic!!!

I am Type 1 >> for over 55 years!
Having used test strips to monitor blood glucose levels since they first became available I have gained a lot of information on the rules governing these prescriptions -

Some of the meters which have been in use for several years no longer meet the accuracy levels imposed by the EEC and are being withdrawn. The makers have introduced replacement models which can usually obtained free of charge simply by making a phone call to their customer services departments. If you ask for a change of prescription form some will include this with your meter so that all you need to do is fill it in and hand to your doctor / surgery.

You need to be comfortable and confident with what you are using - phone some manufacturers and ask for one of their free meters and try it. You should be able to get test strips provide for that meter.