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Type 1 on pump: Test strips

B

Bobby_Davro

Newbie
Messages
4
Type of diabetes
Type 1
Hi Everyone,
I'm a type 1 diabetic for 26 years from the UK. However I've been living in Australia for 12 years and have recently returned. Since I've been away I've come across a few changes to the NHS most notably the difficulty in getting testing sticks. I'm on a pump and like to test quite often depending on the day it can be up to 8 times a day or just 3 or 4. Because of this I like to have batches of 200 (4 boxes of 50) for convenience. I've been told by my GP that I will only be allowed 100 as there has been cases of stockpiling and then selling onto people.

Is this right? I've noticed dates on my repeat prescriptions as well which I presume is for the Chemist to keep an eye on.

I wanted any feed back from you guys out there to see if your all suffering the same inconvenience.
 
Bobby_Davro said:
I've been told by my GP that I will only be allowed 100 as there has been cases of stockpiling and then selling onto people.
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Sadly that is correct, but the people doing it are very few and far between and their conduct isn't an excuse for your gp to restrict your access to test strips, being on a pump and testing multiple times a day you'll be putting in a repeat prescription every 2 weeks which is unacceptable IMHO.

Just get your DSN/Consultant to write to your gp surgery and ask that your prescription for strips is increased, I get 300 each time but have had a few battles along the way
 

Hi I have not heard about people selling test strips,but that not to say it doesn't go on. When I first got my pump the diabetic nurse said no no to extra test strips. I went to gp i explain that if ill not very often thank goodness I need to check every hr for 24hr and do basal checks wasn't happy but did give me what I ask. The date on repeat is review of medication ie blood pressure tablets gp can refuse to give you a script if you don't go to get checked.
 
Thanks for the feedback guys I'll have another go with the GP. I'm also working at heights quite a bit so I probably test more than I should. It was a bit disappointing that the receptionist said to my wife "Well your husband is obviously doing something wrong if he's testing that much." Hahaha. nice.
 
I don't know where they get them from but there are strips on Ebay so there does seem to be a trade in them. When my strips were stopped I was told it was because the budget had been cut so it's any old excuse so long as they restrict the strips.
 
Squire Fulwood said:
I don't know where they get them from but there are strips on Ebay so there does seem to be a trade in them. When my strips were stopped I was told it was because the budget had been cut so it's any old excuse so long as they restrict the strips.
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There is currently a move throughout the NHS to restrict test strips on scrip that cost more than £10 per 50. I have just been forced to change my meter so that I can still obtain them on scrip. They are currently rolling it out area by area, and addessing non insulin dependants (NID) first.

My friend (T1D on pump) has just been restricted to 100 a month since he needs to keep his current meter for medical reasons that the cheapo ones on offer through the NHS do not cover. (eg ketones) His Specialist has written to his GP stating that since he has recent hypo events that he needs more strips, but the CCG has turned him down.
 
I never run out but never stock pile and all i get i use myself. Best speak to your Diabetes clinic about this.

Regards

Martin
 
I have been approached over the years by a number of people wanting me to give them box's and when that has failed to sell them. I have not sold them and explained they need a matching meter... They want them for relatives mainly in India and neighbouring countries, has been my experience.

There is something going on with test strips in Australia as well. Apparently only a 100 strips a year are subsidised. I have had my own personal stock pile going (with rationing stretched it to 5 months), so I'm about to find out as I normally use 4-8 strips a day and I'm almost out of strips and have purchased 100 this year. I test and 'shoot up' in toilet cubicles. Somehow after about 9 months no matter how careful I am, colleagues find out.
 
Chowie said:
There is something going on with test strips in Australia as well. Apparently only a 100 strips a year are subsidised.
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Not if you are a member of NDSS, and have filled in the test strip approval form with your GP or DE which gives you access to strips at $1.30 for 100.

The approval form lasts for six months then you have to rinse and repeat.

Most people get just get 100 strips a fortnight, but you can get 200 but no more that that as there is a short supply of diabetic gear, and some medication ( Metformin XR).
 
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