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Test strips

K

KeithnrBath

Member
Messages
7
After repeated tries, still no chance of getting test strips from GP! Find that going to Abbot is by far the cheapest at £13-14 for freestyle. AMAZED that Diabetes UK charge double this price. Thought they were a support on our side
 
KeithnrBath said:
After repeated tries, still no chance of getting test strips from GP! Find that going to Abbot is by far the cheapest at £13-14 for freestyle. AMAZED that Diabetes UK charge double this price. Thought they were a support on our side
Click to expand...

I attended a seminar recently where one of the speakers (from Diabetes UK) was explaining the new EC driving directives. It is stated that diabetics should perform blood glucose tests before taking to the wheel and also during longer journeys. Failing to do so could have an impact on the driver, should an accident become attributed to poor diabetes management. Diabetes UK are using this directive to overturn GP's decisions where they refuse to offer test strips on free prescription. It may be an avenue that is worth investigating with your GP.
Regards,
 
Thats only true of diabetics using hypo inducing meds like insulin Mr B but even then the DVLA only says to test not who should pay for strips, the truth is that some diabetics will get strips and some wont and some of those who get strips will get more or less than others who get strips it is purely down to a whim of our/your GP
 

I totally agree. The original post doesn't mention T1 or T2 and yes, each have different needs. But if some people are able to sway their GP's by using the directive then it's surely worth a try. I'm very fortunate to live in an area where the PCT and my GP see the use of test strips as a necessity. They always provide as many as I need each month, usually between 50 - 100. I wonder what the control levels are like when comparing an area that does offer strips to an area that does not. It may even be a false economy if they have to spend more on insulin etc. as a result of poorer control.
 
AMAZED that Diabetes UK charge double this price. Thought they were a support on our side

What's the story with this. Is it also the case with insurance etc??/
 
KeithnrBath said:
After repeated tries, still no chance of getting test strips from GP! Find that going to Abbot is by far the cheapest at £13-14 for freestyle. AMAZED that Diabetes UK charge double this price. Thought they were a support on our side
Click to expand...

I have the same meter, I buy my strips off ebay, they're even cheaper. Although the two lots I've bought so far (2 different sellers) have both clearly been ex-prescription, since they both had part of the dispensing labels still attached (one from Wales, the other from Scotland, where I believe they get their prescriptions free anyway). Very naughty really, and in the long term I don't suppose it helps our cause of trying to get testing equipment prescribed for those of us whose surgeries are uncooperative. However, I can't really complain since it benefits me to get them as cheaply as possible.
 
AMAZED that Diabetes UK charge double this price. Thought they were a support on our side


Is it really the case that DUK is double the price????????????
May this also be the case with insurance etc????????????????????????????????????
 
al_leister said:
AMAZED that Diabetes UK charge double this price. Thought they were a support on our side


Is it really the case that DUK is double the price????????????
May this also be the case with insurance etc????????????????????????????????????
Click to expand...

It is true, yes - DUK are charging £26.82 for Freestyle Lite test strips - :evil:
 
Hi

I get a newsletter posted to me from IDDT. The xmas edition mentioned a new bg meter called Superchek2 which is meant to be very good and teststrips for it are just £8.49 for 50 (NHS price). worth phoning them to see what they charge the consumer.
 

D.U.K. don't sell test strips. D.C.U.K. do. They are two separate entities.
 
My apologies.......Catherine, perhaps you'd explain the difference, for those of us who are newly diagnosed and therefore new to all this?
 
The owners of this site, Diabetes.co.uk. (DCUK) allow this free forum for diabetics. They also sell products for diabetics.
Here is a link to Diabetes.org.UK.(DUK) http://www.diabetes.org.uk/
 
Anyone concerned about not being supplied with test strips might want to read this pack "produced for people with Diabetes who are concerned about the restrictions of blood glucose test strips on prescription. It contains information on how to challenge test strip issues and some tools to help you to advocate for yourself"
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Documents/Ho ... 202011.pdf
 
Thank you - I wasn't aware that there was another Diabetes site, I was only told about this one by my Diabetic nurse. Presumably, the original poster also meant DCUK.

I have read that info, but it won't make the slightest bit of difference to our surgery, they quite categorically state that they will not supply testing equipment to Type 2s - indeed, the nurse told me that they don't advise self-testing.
 
Sorry for not making it clear;
Have type 2....but still feel happier to test at least once a month for a full day.
Regardless off what Catherine says....it is the SHOP on this site that sells plates, meters and test strips! Followed link from shop to forum! Would like to hear reason for rip off,
Dont buy from Ebay because I wont encourage the theives who are profiting and causing the problem. Also, would beware counterfir items.
 
Hi keith

I'm also a type 2, need to test a few times a week and I get my strips from Ebay, I don't have a choice to go elsewhere due to financial constrictions. I hate having to do it but I have no alternative.

Regarding the prices of the items available for sale here, bottom line is, Diabetes.co.uk is a business, not a charity. The forum is free, there is no charge to join and I am assuming they make their money by selling stuff and advertising. Here is their mission statement:

Diabetes Mission Statement
The primary aim of Diabetes.co.uk is to reduce the suffering of others without exploiting any individual being. We aim to improve the physical, psychological and mental health of our visitors.

We aim to be completely environmentally and socially accountable for all our personal and business actions, both relating to Diabetes.co.uk and within our daily lives.

Contact Diabetes.co.uk: Click here to contact Diabetes.co.uk.

If you feel that they are not being socially accountable for their actions by charging over the odds for what they sell then I would contact them directly and see what the explanation is. I would be interested to see what the response is as I too would like to see fair prices but it is a business and therefore I guess it's up to them what they charge.

Good luck
 
Catherinecherub, many thanks for the link to comp0lain about the stoppage of test strips, very useful, Deb x
 
Has anybody been able to overturn their GP's decision to stop giving out test strips when only on diet and exercise and not medications. I have challenged my HCP saying that I need to test to see how my body reacts to certain foods but to no avail, thanks, Deb x
 
Not sure where on the forum I should post this but

A new to the market bg monitor is being offered by the name of SD Codefree Bg monitor - it is on amazon and ebay. Seems to have good reviews so far and the important bit is that 50 teststrips are just £4.99 so for everyone who feel that they need more test strips than a GP is willing to prescribe, the tables are turning me thinks
 

Thanks! Have just bought one off eBay, the kit with monitor + 10 strips + 10 lancets + additional 50 strips + P&P £17.95. I'll run it alongside my One Touch Ultra meter to test it out.

Notice you can get the strips for £4.99 / 50 as well.
 
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