Test strips pricing

Hi all,
I am new to diabetes, (type 2) metaformin 500mg 2 twice a day etc, i am getting my strips on prescription and they are free for diabetics. Just a thought I hope this helps.
iain

big_iain said:

Hi all,
I am new to diabetes, (type 2) metaformin 500mg 2 twice a day etc, i am getting my strips on prescription and they are free for diabetics. Just a thought I hope this helps.
iain

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Hi Iain.
Welcome to the forum.
Prescriptions are only free for Diabetics ON MEDICATION, or other qualifying criteria.

I got a box of strips on Ebay for £12.00. I get a box a month free but it isn't enough.

I'm wondering why people are paying seeing as you get them free on the NHS

IrishJoe said:

I'm wondering why people are paying seeing as you get them free on the NHS

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Hi.
This is my post from 2 posts back, nothing has changed ......... :?


Prescriptions are only free for Diabetics ON MEDICATION, or other qualifying criteria.

IrishJoe said:

I'm wondering why people are paying seeing as you get them free on the NHS

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Not all doctors will prescribe them - I've been trying since diagnosis last Oct and got nowhere. At one point the argument became quite animated lol. Dr Donothing almost screamed at me " I'm better spending money on medication for your diabetes than useless bloodtesting strips. (as if each patient had a spend ceiling)

I buy mine from boots at the moment.

IrishJoe said:

I'm wondering why people are paying seeing as you get them free on the NHS

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The reason is down to the National lottery. Not the Camelot one, the NHS postcode lottery.

The problem is that those treatments and facilities that are available on the NHS are determined by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE). The difficulty is that those treaments and facilities are only guidelines. The local Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are free to pick and chose which treatments and facilities they wish to provide and which they don't. Unfortunately, many (or indeed most) chose not to pay for testing strips unless they really have to due to the cost.

I am somewhat lucky as I live in a PCT that seems to be perfectly happy to pick up the tab on testing strips for type 2 not on medication (they don't actually cost me anything because I have a pre payment certificate). I have them on unlimited repeat (an the repeat gives me 150 at a go). However, if I lived just 5 miles north of where I do, I would have to pay for them.

I now only test twice a week because I have a diet that is established and working (as you can see from my HbA1c below). I see no point in doing any test that is not going to tell you anything you don't already know. I will test before and after any meal that is off my regular diet (so Christmas saw heavier than usual usage).

IanS

I sometimes view an American Diabetic forum and it is interesting that a topic over there is how often to test because of the high cost of the strips. I know that some surgeries won't allow a T2 free strips over here but I believe most do and certainly T1 get them. Don't knock the NHS

From what I read on here, most PCTs don't supply test strips to T2s (it's not actually down to the surgery as they don't foot the bill) or if they do, restrict the supply to a couple of strips a week. The usual excuse given is, "T2s don't need to test". We know different.

IanS

Suggesting that T2s don’t need to test or can manage with minimal testing is like sending someone to cross a busy road - and then blindfolding them first! :shock: :roll:

I just keep ordering test strips regardless of what the Diabetic nurse says. She keeps telling me I should only be testing twice a week? now I only get better control if I test at least twice a day. I am due to start victoza tomorrow, so I hope they don't moan at me again to cut the testing, it really pee's me off at times, they think they know it all, but in fact they are not diabetic themselves so only go on a basis of study, and what they are told to do.

I am obviously paying too much as I bought mine from Amazon for around £20 for 50 strips.
still for those who cannot get to the shops the service is fast.
It really depends on your meter how much the strips are, some manufacturers sell direct to the public at a lower price, my brother-in- law gets his that way.

I spoke to a rep from Abbot 2 weeks ago about freestyle test strips and she told me that if you get the strips direct from them, you dont pay VAT.

suffolkboi61 said:

I spoke to a rep from Abbot 2 weeks ago about freestyle test strips and she told me that if you get the strips direct from them, you dont pay VAT.

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Any chemist will sell them to you vat free if you can prove your a diabetic.

Diagnosed with T2 Nov 2009 - decided , when GP upped my tablets again & I have strived to lose weight and exercise more ...lost 16lbs plus test results decreases on second test 4th Jan..that i needed to test my bs to find out the state of play - asked GP for equipment to do so ...reply : ,not supplied to T2, so purchased meter, strips and lancets from village chemist - confusion arose when i asked for VAT to be deducted - not a clue amongst the staff as to how this worked ....thank you to this site for all the information -

I have now printed off the VAT exemption form - filled it in ready for battle tomorrow ....and printed off the information to take to GP as to why i need to be supplied with test strips...I feel better able to cope with my T2 since deciding to take some control by self testing and seeing how my body is fuctioning / responding to medication / food - At the time of purchasing the test equipment i was pretty anxious and just wanted to get going with the tests so hav'nt taken full advantage of all the tips on buying strips - so if my GP will still not play ball over prescribing them for me I have alll the tips form this forum -thanks folks.

I have been reading about the prices on testing strips and count myself lucky that I live in Wales. We don't have to pay for any prescriptions so can have all our testing needs free. Post Code lottery again!!

mynydd66 said:

I have been reading about the prices on testing strips and count myself lucky that I live in Wales. We don't have to pay for any prescriptions so can have all our testing needs free. Post Code lottery again!!

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Are there any limitations on the amount of strips they will prescribe?

Nigel