I have a FreeStyle Lite monitor. The cheapest place I have found to buy the strips is direct from the company that manufacture them, Abbott. They are around £16 for 50, about £25 in chemists, possibly a few pound cheaper on the internet. You will probably have to become a member and give them your monitor number to get the benefits.
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test strips
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shellyj
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Hi it's shelly I use bayer contour test strips as that my meter I get my covered so I don't pay for them thanks shellyj 
tubolard
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As we have long term medical conditions we qualify for VAT reduction in certain goods like Blood Glucose Meters - I wonder if test strips apply?. I did read somewhere if we got a private prescription then VAT would be removed, but that was a long time ago and would probably cost more than any savings.
Regards, Tubs.
Regards, Tubs.
cugila
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Tubs.
Good question. Following on from that I have sent this message to HMRC:
As a Diabetic I know that the blood glucose test meters can be purchased free of UK Vat. Can you tell me if the same exemption applies to the Test strips and Lancets used for the purposes of testing blood glucose measurements? The reason I ask is that a large number of us have to fund the cost of the strips/lancets out of our own pockets.
Thank you.
Like you I await any response with interest even though I don't have any prob's getting them. Will keep you UTD.
Ken
Good question. Following on from that I have sent this message to HMRC:
As a Diabetic I know that the blood glucose test meters can be purchased free of UK Vat. Can you tell me if the same exemption applies to the Test strips and Lancets used for the purposes of testing blood glucose measurements? The reason I ask is that a large number of us have to fund the cost of the strips/lancets out of our own pockets.
Thank you.
Like you I await any response with interest even though I don't have any prob's getting them. Will keep you UTD.
Ken
cugila
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nabser said:
You might think that but it don't work that way. Just another of lifes little foibles ?
:lol: :lol: :lol:
shellyj
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Hi it shelly again I from canada we get are strips covered but not are lanets we buy them and are meters we can sometimes get them from are diabetes class in hospital hope this helps
Slinger
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Hi all,
I've been type 1 for 12 years now and when I first start injection I was using a Novapen. At the time the needles were not available on precription. Luckily my mum knew the chemist and I use to ask the doctor for syringes and the chemist swopped them.
A year or so later the needles could be got on prescription. In the 12 years ive been diagnosed, the only thing i had to pay for is the meter, and at the price of around £20 - £30 is it worth the hassle of claiming the VAT back.
I am exempt from paying prescription charges and I thought everyone who was diabetic (type 1 and type 2) was exempt, is this not the case?
Ste
I've been type 1 for 12 years now and when I first start injection I was using a Novapen. At the time the needles were not available on precription. Luckily my mum knew the chemist and I use to ask the doctor for syringes and the chemist swopped them.
A year or so later the needles could be got on prescription. In the 12 years ive been diagnosed, the only thing i had to pay for is the meter, and at the price of around £20 - £30 is it worth the hassle of claiming the VAT back.
I am exempt from paying prescription charges and I thought everyone who was diabetic (type 1 and type 2) was exempt, is this not the case?
Ste
C
catherinecherub
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Hi slinger,
Most Type 2's wouldn't mind paying prescription charges for test strips. The problem is that some Dr's are refusing to prescribe them. It matters not if they are free or charged for, they cannot have them unless they buy their own at very high prices.
Catherine.
Most Type 2's wouldn't mind paying prescription charges for test strips. The problem is that some Dr's are refusing to prescribe them. It matters not if they are free or charged for, they cannot have them unless they buy their own at very high prices.
Catherine.
Slinger
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hi Catherine,
that is so wrong in my view, they should be free. could you not argue and say that if you dont get them that they are not looking after you and so malpractice or something.
If i knew a type 2 i would order test strips and give them to the type 2. i know i shouldnt do or say that but its the way i feel.
Ste
that is so wrong in my view, they should be free. could you not argue and say that if you dont get them that they are not looking after you and so malpractice or something.
If i knew a type 2 i would order test strips and give them to the type 2. i know i shouldnt do or say that but its the way i feel.
Ste
cugila
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Slinger.
Take a look at this post. Have a read through the various responses.
Letter from GP
by tracytrue on March 14th, 2009, 12:42 pm
It will show you exactly what a lot of people have to put up with over Test Strips/Lancets. I don't personally have that problem but I will fight for the right for the others to be treated as I am.
Ken
Take a look at this post. Have a read through the various responses.
Letter from GP
by tracytrue on March 14th, 2009, 12:42 pm
It will show you exactly what a lot of people have to put up with over Test Strips/Lancets. I don't personally have that problem but I will fight for the right for the others to be treated as I am.
Ken
Dennis
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catherinecherub
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Asked the pharmacist today about vat exemption for test strips. She said that they cannot do this if I was to buy them there. Suggested that if buying direct from the makers of the meters they may facilitate this although she wasn't sure. Said there was a reduction in the amount they now gave out to Type 2's.
cugila
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Osidge.
Many people who can't get them prescribed get them off Ebay, it's usually much cheaper. the argument here is that we should all be prescribed them or how else are we to gain control over our Bg numbers and health.
The VAT is just a side issue.
Many people who can't get them prescribed get them off Ebay, it's usually much cheaper. the argument here is that we should all be prescribed them or how else are we to gain control over our Bg numbers and health.
The VAT is just a side issue.
Hi kemo here in Belfast. I get all my diabetic products free of charge. I was informed back in 1992 when diagnosed type 2 that all diabetic prescriptions were free and sofar I have not had to pay for anything. I noticed some time ago that some of you were comparing prices for test strips and I was puzzled and couldn't understand why. I think it's wrong that people suffering long term illnesses such as diabetes should have to buy strips or meters. I bought my first one in 1992 but was given a free one 2 years ago (a freestyle mini) while attending the clinic at the local hospitalnabser said:
kegstore
Well-Known Member
Its my understanding that despite having a National Health Service, the delivery of that service differs ever so slightly from England to Scotland to Wales to Northern Ireland. Enough to make a difference between getting a prescription free and having to pay for it. Each country implements slightly different "rules".
IanS
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I have just been diagnosed as Type 2 and I though others might interested in my experiences. This may be a bit long but in the light of the general theme of this discussion, it may be of great considerable interest.
I was diagnosed just over a month ago and had my first diabetic consultation three weeks ago. The diabetician at the practice gave me a blood glucose tester (yes free gratis). Apparently standard procedure at this practice - can't say whether it's general procedure under my PCT. She arranged for my doc to issue a prescription for more lancets and test strips pointing out that I would no longer have to pay for prescriptions (See: I said it would be of interest).
I got the prescription off the doc, filled out the form for a prescription exemption certificate, left it with him and took my prescription to the pharmacist having signed it, but not ticking any of the exemption boxes. The pharmacist took it, saw what was on it, turned it over, and he himself ticked the box, "E - has a valid medical exemption certificate" (and the Evidence not seen box). I pointed out that I hadn't got the certificate yet, but he just shrugged his shoulders and stated that it was OK, I would get it before any check was made.
Now unfortunately, the doctor neglected to sign the form before sending it, so it got returned. Doubly unfortunately the doc in question was a locum standing in for my own GP who was on an extended holiday. My own GP has declined to sign the form as he doesn't believe I am entitled to exemption.
The point of this is there seems to be great confusion as to what we are or are not entitled to. Two professionals who deal with diabetics plus a pharmacist seem to think exemption is available and suddenly one who doesn't.
The problem seems to be the wording of the exemption, "Diabetes Melitus where treatment is by diet only". It's ambiguous. In my view the fact the doctor has prescribed something in connection with the condition is "treatment". Trawling around the Internet before I came here there seems to be tremendous confusion as to whether blood glucose meters are available on the NHS and whether test strips and lancets should be on prescription. What I did find is that if you bought your blood glucose meter, you are entitled to reclaim the cost, but it seems PCTs vary widely in their attitude.
I notice a few people complaining about the VAT on the meters, lancets and test strips. There should be no reason to complain. If you are diabetic, then blood glucose meters, the lancets, the test strips and indeed the battery are all exempt from VAT under group 12 of schedule 8 to the VAT act 1994. If your pharmacist won't play ball then get a VAT receipt and claim from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (who should remind the pharmacist of the rules).
I apologise for the length, but I trust it was worth it.
Ian S
I was diagnosed just over a month ago and had my first diabetic consultation three weeks ago. The diabetician at the practice gave me a blood glucose tester (yes free gratis). Apparently standard procedure at this practice - can't say whether it's general procedure under my PCT. She arranged for my doc to issue a prescription for more lancets and test strips pointing out that I would no longer have to pay for prescriptions (See: I said it would be of interest).
I got the prescription off the doc, filled out the form for a prescription exemption certificate, left it with him and took my prescription to the pharmacist having signed it, but not ticking any of the exemption boxes. The pharmacist took it, saw what was on it, turned it over, and he himself ticked the box, "E - has a valid medical exemption certificate" (and the Evidence not seen box). I pointed out that I hadn't got the certificate yet, but he just shrugged his shoulders and stated that it was OK, I would get it before any check was made.
Now unfortunately, the doctor neglected to sign the form before sending it, so it got returned. Doubly unfortunately the doc in question was a locum standing in for my own GP who was on an extended holiday. My own GP has declined to sign the form as he doesn't believe I am entitled to exemption.
The point of this is there seems to be great confusion as to what we are or are not entitled to. Two professionals who deal with diabetics plus a pharmacist seem to think exemption is available and suddenly one who doesn't.
The problem seems to be the wording of the exemption, "Diabetes Melitus where treatment is by diet only". It's ambiguous. In my view the fact the doctor has prescribed something in connection with the condition is "treatment". Trawling around the Internet before I came here there seems to be tremendous confusion as to whether blood glucose meters are available on the NHS and whether test strips and lancets should be on prescription. What I did find is that if you bought your blood glucose meter, you are entitled to reclaim the cost, but it seems PCTs vary widely in their attitude.
I notice a few people complaining about the VAT on the meters, lancets and test strips. There should be no reason to complain. If you are diabetic, then blood glucose meters, the lancets, the test strips and indeed the battery are all exempt from VAT under group 12 of schedule 8 to the VAT act 1994. If your pharmacist won't play ball then get a VAT receipt and claim from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (who should remind the pharmacist of the rules).
I apologise for the length, but I trust it was worth it.
Ian S
cugila
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Hi IanS.
There is nothing ambiguous about Diet Only. Are you on any Diabetic medication ? If not then you are not entitled to a Medical Exemption Certificate. The rules are very clear ? There is a list of qualifying conditions. Your own GP is correct.
Once you are on any medication for your Diabetes you are entitled to the exemption certificate.
There is nothing ambiguous about Diet Only. Are you on any Diabetic medication ? If not then you are not entitled to a Medical Exemption Certificate. The rules are very clear ? There is a list of qualifying conditions. Your own GP is correct.
Once you are on any medication for your Diabetes you are entitled to the exemption certificate.
