Rationing of Test strips - why are they so expensive?

[Keith396]

It was disclosed a little while ago, that the NHS are paying well over the odds for drugs and equipment - it appears that suppliers are really taking them to the cleaners! - largely because each Trust are responsible for purchasing their own requirements instead of these being purchased on a Nationwide basis in bulk - with better competition with regards quality and pricing.

I was really surprised to find out the cost of blood glucose test strips recently and even more surprised at the poor level of accuracy these strips have to be in order to be deemed fit for purpose. I should like this area to be taken up by University researchers. I am confident that the present accuracy of test strips can be significantly improved upon and produced more cheaply.

 

[donnellysdogs]

Agree on that totally.

I always thought that supply and demand influenced prices downward for electronic gadgets.. As with Tv's they get netter and better and cheaper and cheaper,,
This has happened with the pricing of meters in the last 25+ years, but the strips are still hugely expensive and they are being used more so by us all .. Worldwide.. Not necessarily in uk.
I would love to know how much people say in India or Spain have to pay for strips.
The frustration for me over accuracy is.... How come we can send unmanned robots to Mars, get some brilliant mobiles etc and yet we still accept that blood strips are allowed such inaccuracies (and cgm's)...if ever I went to work and only gave 80% accuracy to supplying Waitrose with their foods and Tesco.. I would have been sacked.

I dont know how the medical persons such as NICE accept the inaccuracys of meters or cgms.

Personally, I think it is a case where an attitude of something is better than nothing has been accepted by the Medical Authorities and it has just left the gates wide open for over priced, less accurate strips.

I do know that medical companies have to spend so much money in research & development of products, but if we are talking worldwide usage.. Then they are still reaping in a lot of money from sick people..