Problems getting hold of aviva accu chek test strips

Adskibullus

Member
Messages
12
Hi all,

Ive had a bit of a worrying situation and im wondering if its happened to anybody else / informing people of what has happened.

Im a type 1 diabetic and i get my blood glucose test strips on prescription. I use the aviva accu chek bllod glucose monitor as perscribed to be after i completed my carb counting course. Last night i went to pick up my prescription and they said the glucose test strips had been refused so i booked my self into the doctors to find out that nothing had gone wrong on the doctors side.

Turns out aviva have had their test strips recalled! I went to 7 different pharmacies and on the 8th managed to get the test strips. I had ran out so was getting quite worried by then as the big boots stores had withdrawn them from their shelves and are un available to buy on line.

I go through 7 strips a day minimum and have only got 14 days worth of supplies and am a bit concerned as where im going to get more from as all the pharmacies said its a supply issue and they wont be getting anymore till at least the 28th of may!!

Im in the Bedfordshire/ Hertfordshire region has anybody else encountered this problem? Its worrying for anyone ising the accu chek machine as its the only one ive got and i dont trust GP’s and pharmacies to get anything sorted. Ive tried contacting my diabetes nurse and am waiting to hear nack from her.

Thanks adam
 

Engineer88

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,130
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
Hi all,

Ive had a bit of a worrying situation and im wondering if its happened to anybody else / informing people of what has happened.

Im a type 1 diabetic and i get my blood glucose test strips on prescription. I use the aviva accu chek bllod glucose monitor as perscribed to be after i completed my carb counting course. Last night i went to pick up my prescription and they said the glucose test strips had been refused so i booked my self into the doctors to find out that nothing had gone wrong on the doctors side.

Turns out aviva have had their test strips recalled! I went to 7 different pharmacies and on the 8th managed to get the test strips. I had ran out so was getting quite worried by then as the big boots stores had withdrawn them from their shelves and are un available to buy on line.

I go through 7 strips a day minimum and have only got 14 days worth of supplies and am a bit concerned as where im going to get more from as all the pharmacies said its a supply issue and they wont be getting anymore till at least the 28th of may!!

Im in the Bedfordshire/ Hertfordshire region has anybody else encountered this problem? Its worrying for anyone ising the accu chek machine as its the only one ive got and i dont trust GP’s and pharmacies to get anything sorted. Ive tried contacting my diabetes nurse and am waiting to hear nack from her.

Thanks adam


Have you considered using something like Mysugr app to calculate your dose instead? then you can use any meter? Might get you over this sticky patch anyway?
 

Adskibullus

Member
Messages
12
Thanks for the replies, luckily i managed to find a pharmacy on the 8th try that had the strips in stock other wise i was going to buy a different brand meter that uses different strips that i could buy.

I got hold of my diabetes nurse who said she had a stach of the test strips and would post me some which was nice. I find it annoying how the pharmacies can just turn you away without offering any alternatives and arent helpfull at all! Roche shouldnt be leaving pateints without test strips either , thats a massive mistake on their part firstly manufacturing and distributing faulty strips then not having adequate supplies to rectify their mistake.

Thanks again you guys for all your help
 

Saskia

Newbie
Messages
4
I had the same experience today..... No strips at the pharmacy. I had to call around to see if other pharmacies had anything in stock! I called Roche and they said they had a manufacturer and distribution problem. I don’t understand that they do not contact Aviva users.
I now have an app in the hospital to look into a solution as I get really stressed about this!
 

donnac1968

Well-Known Member
Messages
80
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I hope I don't have this problem, as I use these strips with my Roche Accuchek Spirit pump. The glucose meter is the remote control for the pump so I would have to manually work out doses if I had to use another meter.

Maybe I should put in a scrip now in case of any problems if I run low.
 

Gemma2

Well-Known Member
Messages
190
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Insulin
Went to Boots today - told no Aviva strips in stock. Phoned Roche when I got home and was advised no strips for next 2/3 weeks.
 

Skippy1

Well-Known Member
Messages
73
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Non-insulin injectable medication (incretin mimetics)
My surgery told me they were changing all meters to TRUEresults. I was told that there was a problem with supply of Accuchek Aviva, but I thought they were just cost cutting. Maybe they were and it was just co-incidence? Anyway, I'm not impressed with the TRUEresult, it's very 'tinny' and difficult to use one-handed as the controls are on the top and have to be pressed very hard. Hope they bring back the Aviva.
 

Chas C

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,076
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
If your using an Insight, Combo or old Spirit pump and need these test strips for your handset you can call Accu Check and they will send some to you. Pumpers should have an email from Accu Check advising issues with certain test strip batches and asking you to stop using them.
 

donnac1968

Well-Known Member
Messages
80
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Treatment type
Pump
I had the notice from Accuchek. Mine were fine but I put in a scrip for more before I run out. Got 4 boxes no problem yesterday. Pharmacy didn’t even mention there was a problem.