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Where to buy test strips?

D

DannyB

Well-Known Member
Messages
45
I know this has been discussed many times before but I am now getting into a pretty serious testing regime which is costing me a pretty penny (it is getting results though - so that's good).

I can't get prescriptions. At the moment I have a FreeStyle Lite and a Accu-Chek compact plus.

Cheapest prices I have found to-date are at chemistdirect.

I seem to think I saw someone say that that you could get them (Freestyle) cheaper direct from Abbots - but I can't seem to find where they actually sell them online - I see the web site, lots of info but no order facility unless I am missing something. Link anyone?

- is there a diiferent meter which has cheaper strips? Or do they all run at around the same price
- anyone know of a better source than chemistdirect?

Thanks in advance for any comments/suggestions/pointers.
 
Just phone Abbott and ask them. Ebay is good too. check the seller's feedback, before ordring. I got 100 freestyle strips for £20 plus postage. Abbot charge £14.60 free postage for 50. and my local Chemist charges £25 a pack.
 
hanadr said:
Just phone Abbott and ask them. Ebay is good too. check the seller's feedback, before ordring. I got 100 freestyle strips for £20 plus postage. Abbot charge £14.60 free postage for 50. and my local Chemist charges £25 a pack.
Click to expand...

Also check the expiry date if it is listed.
 
Be just a little bit careful about buying strips off Ebay. There have been instances of fake strips being sold. Unfortunately, there are many unpleasant people out there who are quite happy to profit from others misfortunes. If you find an internet site, check to see if they are registered with the NHS to dispense - at least you will then know that they are reputable...hopefully...
 
I got an Email form Ebay this morning telling me that the test strips I was bidding for had been removed for 'seller violation'! Now,as I habitually use 'buy it now' I have already received the strips. Somewhat concerned I Emailed the seller about this and he replied that Johnson and Johnson had objected to anybody except Pharmaceutical outlets selling these as they claim it is an infringement of their intellectual rights (whatever they may mean by that).
This could potentially 'dry up' cheaper test strips from Ebay! I must emphasis that the test strips I received were in perfect condition,manufacturers seals intact and well in date.
 
Someone got a hold of a bunch of Bayer (I think) strips which he was supposed to be recycling as there was a manufacturing error.

The ******* was recycling them by selling them on Ebay.

I don't know if this has anything to do with it.

I was buying my Accuchek strips here

http://www.diabeticshop.co.uk/

Not the cheapest but always deliver promptly, I think it was Chemistdirect who took a couple of weeks to supply
 
Hi Sue,

This sounds to me very much like Resale Price Maintenance (RPM) which has been an illegal business practice for more years than I can remember!
 
Only if I get lost somewhere around Aberdeen :wink:
 
At the moment I don't have any problems getting test strips on prescription, but from the posts here, it sounds like my supply could be cut off, or reduced.

So what is a reasonable price to pay on Ebay for 50 one touch ultra strips?
I looked at Ebay and saw 100 for £30 plus £5 post but this was an auction not Buy It Now so the price could go higher.
 
That's because you are type 1 on insulin,Chips. Type 2's ,especially if they are not on medication can have difficulty getting test strips from their GP and we have to pay for them.
 
oh that makes sense, i think it should be free too all.
 
yes I agree, I'm sure my blood sugar levels would be better if I was given test strips and a meter and could test after meals etc so could see the effect the food I was eating was having
 
Hello all,
Thought it best to put my post on this thread. This might be of some help to the newly diagnosed who are being denied test strips. It is of great concern to me as I know how essential this tool is in the day to day management of our condition. People who have good control have to test sometimes and they are more alert as to whether their blood sugar is high or low. How can a newly diagnosed be expected to gain control if they don't know if dietary changes and exercise are having the desired effect.
I recently emailed Roche, makers of my test machine, to ask if they had any ideas as to how to solve this problem. Thought I would get an email back with the usual wording that they were aware of the problem blah, blah, blah.......
Today I received a letter and some pamphlets with advice on how to go about complaining. I was quite surprised by this because on a previous discussion about test strips it was the general consensus of opinion that the test strip manufacturer's profits would not affected and so they would not have an opinion.
This is what they advised :-

IF TEST STRIP PRESCRIPTION HAS BEEN REDUCED.

If the G.P. or D.N. has decided this then discuss it with them. If the decision is a directive from the P.C.T. then this is a non medical decision which could have an impact on your ability to manage your diabetes. Contact your P.C.T.

IF YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED ANY TEST STRIPS.

Contact your P.C.T. to find out what their policy is. Once you have this information contact your local Patients Advice and Liaison Service, (PALS). The Hospital G.P. or Clinic will have this telephone number. Start to make a written case to prove that test strips are an essential part of your diabetes management Contact your local M.P, http://www.writetothem.com will allow you to email them. There is also an Association of Diabetic Specialist Nurses, http://www.diabetesnurse.org.uk

I would ask that you all complain and get your friends and relatives to complain on your behalf. If we do nothing we only have ourselves to blame. If we do something then at least we can say that we tried.

Regards, Catherine.
 
Thanks for that Jay,
I think if emails and letters started arriving and people wrote to their meter manufacturer there might be some good news. Enough of these sent and it would be noticed. The odd one is not going to impact too much. Anything to keep up the momentum. Diabetics need test strips.
Regards,
Catherine.
 
Good post Catherine, thanks for that.

WriteToThem is part of a suite of sites that are intended to open up Parliament to we the people. It's sister site, TheyWorkForYou is one that enables you to find out what your MP is saying in Parliament (if anything!) and allows you to search through recent Parliamentary and House of Lords debates for terms that interest you. You can also get a email notice if anything is said about topics you may be interested in.

Regards, Tubs.
 
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