Libre 2 availability

[void]

According to the Sussex Formulary, new people should be started on the Libre 2+ straight off, and current users should be swapped to the Libre 2+ at their next appointment. See here.
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I wonder what "next appointment" means in the context.

My "next appointment" (for yearly checkup etc) for diabetes is in November.

 

[void]

I had a text from the surgery the other week. Notifying of changing to the 2 plus. I didn’t even ask for the plus. Put in my order. (Only get 2 at a time.) & had a text from chemist saying mine is ready for pick up, yesterday. (Only 48 hours completion.)

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What's the health authority area this notification is from please?. Seems it's not england-and-wales-wide

 

[Robin]

I wonder what "next appointment" means in the context.

My "next appointment" (for yearly checkup etc) for diabetes is in November.

Ah, I had my annual review at the GP surgery last month, and asked the nurse, who changed the prescription. Even though I originally got my Libre prescribed through the hospital, my GP surgery had already been able to change me from the original Libre to the Libre 2. If I had to wait for my next hospital appointment, goodness knows how long it would be, they’ve cancelled my last two, I haven’t been seen there for 2.5 years, so i’m not holding my breath that the rearranged one for March will happen.

The point is, at least the Libre 2+ does appear on the Sussex formulary, so any excuses that it hasn’t been brought in yet aren’t true!

 

[Leadinglights]

As long as you don't take the medications out of the pharmacy and check what is in the bag whilst there and give them back what you don't need they can put them back in stock and the NHS isn't being charged for stuff that is wasted.

 

[void]

If I had to wait for my next hospital appointment, goodness knows how long it would be, they’ve cancelled my last two, I haven’t been seen there for 2.5 years, so i’m not holding my breath that the rearranged one for March will happen.

I've seen the same. Appointment created by the hospital (I only went with them for routine stuff because I had been with my GP for it and it was pointed out to me relatively recently that T1D historically was dealt with primarily the hospital). They cancelled the booking September last. I've chased them up by phone once. They've not re-booked it yet.

It's not the first time the hospital has rebooked it, but it is the first time they've just left me hanging like this. it's worrying that it's happening elsewhere too.

 

[helli]

Although she is slow in responding (I think she is has a large backlog and works part time), the prescribing pharmacist at my GP surgery will discuss my prescription and make changes to ensure I have enough or not too much.
Thankfully, I can select which items I want when I do a repeat prescription. It makes no sense for me to get the same thing every time as it is so dependent upon my usage of the different items - I will use more insulin if I am ill, I will have a Libre backlog if I have had some failures replaced, my sharps bin takes 18 months to fill, etc.
But I have had important items removed when I have not requested them for the last 12 months. For example, the basal insulin I have in case my pump fails was once removed. But when I spoke to the prescribing pharmacist she returned it to the script.

Based on my experience, I recommend speaking to your prescribing pharmacist.

 

[Merluza]

Can you talk to your nurse about it or contact the practice manager and explain the problem. It is costing the practice/NHS, so they should be made aware of it. It is just ridiculous getting everything every 2 months. I would need to move house due to all the Sharpsafe boxes if it was me as I only need 1 every 3-4 years! Let alone extra cupboards for test strips and an extra fridge for insulin. The only regular on my monthly order is my 2 Libre sensors.

I've cancelled the keto sticks and when I next go to collect my bi-monthly tablets collection I will try to tackle the pharmacy and check what prescriptions they have before they issue them. After that it's back to the GP pharmacist to upgrade the Libre2s and see what can be done about the general prescribing process. I've done this before so I don't hold out much hope but you have to keep trying.

 

[rebrascora]

@Merluza Must be rather frustrating! Hope you manage to get it resolved this time.

 

[void]

Based on my experience, I recommend speaking to your prescribing pharmacist.

Not sure what you mean here.

In my area, a doctor (usually GP or db specialist) prescribes.
The pharmacist dispenses.

If there's a pharmacy at the GP surgery site, even they cannot (in my experience)
add items to a script. It has to be requested by the doctor.

You're saying that your situation is different?

 

[dannybgoode]

If there's a pharmacy at the GP surgery site, even they cannot (in my experience)
add items to a script. It has to be requested by the doctor.

Some surgeries now have prescribing pharmacists. The title is self describing. That is they can prescribe as well as dispense. The one at our surgery is great - repeat prx's and additions to scripts are so quick now.

On the app, tick a box and within an hour or two it's cleared.

Equally the DSNs suggest an addition, quick note to the GP pharmacist and it's added very promptly.

 

[helli]

Not sure what you mean here.

In my area, a doctor (usually GP or db specialist) prescribes.
The pharmacist dispenses.

If there's a pharmacy at the GP surgery site, even they cannot (in my experience)
add items to a script. It has to be requested by the doctor.

You're saying that your situation is different?

"Behind" my GP, there is a prescribing pharmacist who sorts out things like adjusting my prescription when there is a shortage or my items that have not been used for done time. They may identify these things to your GP to discuss with them.
In my case she also adds or changes items on my prescription as advised by my hospital based diabetes clinic.
In other words she does the administration around repeat prescriptions and does not see patients. I believe she is a qualified pharmacist so understands the drug. She is not "just" a paper person.

She is not a dispensing pharmacist who you go to to get the items on your prescription.

 

[void]

Thanks for the clarification

 

[Satan’s little helper]

What's the health authority area this notification is from please?. Seems it's not england-and-wales-wide

I’ve no wish to disclose my location. But I am inside the British boarder. Looking at the text message chain, it seems to come from the pharmacy number? I’m normally sent a text that my prescription has been put up to collect at my convenience. There has been prescription turn arounds from order to completion done in 24 hours for me. On average 2 days. I currently have an order outstanding, which I’ll pick up tomorrow. I’m not worried either way Libre 2 or the plus. I had heard the 2 was to be phased out in favour of the plus. Bit of a surprise for me it was this soon?

 

[void]

my latest libre2 sensors have (front top right of the box) has an info box with qr code with the following printed on it "change now to the freestyle libre 2 plus sensor by the 31st August 2025" I have no idea at this stage if it's my surgery that changes it or if it requires input from me.

My only worry regarding this is the prescription request remaining libre 2 when the only available libre is libre2+.
But I have glucose strips - it's not like i'll have nothing to measure glucose with. So I'm not going to worry about it until I have a problem getting sensors.

 

[Satan’s little helper]

my latest libre2 sensors have (front top right of the box) has an info box with qr code with the following printed on it "change now to the freestyle libre 2 plus sensor by the 31st August 2025" I have no idea at this stage if it's my surgery that changes it or if it requires input from me.

My only worry regarding this is the prescription request remaining libre 2 when the only available libre is libre2+.
But I have glucose strips - it's not like i'll have nothing to measure glucose with. So I'm not going to worry about it until I have a problem getting sensors.

You could try looking at your prescription list online. If that’s how you order it? I just looked at mine & the Libre 2 has been amended to plus.

 

[Lucyr]

I wonder what "next appointment" means in the context.

My "next appointment" (for yearly checkup etc) for diabetes is in November.

It probably means that that was written a while ago, the news of libre 2 being discontinued has been out for several months now so the majority of users will have had an appointment between the announcement in October ish and the discontinuation in August, with the remainder being switched over when stocks of libre 2 run out.

 

[Lucyr]

my latest libre2 sensors have (front top right of the box) has an info box with qr code with the following printed on it "change now to the freestyle libre 2 plus sensor by the 31st August 2025" I have no idea at this stage if it's my surgery that changes it or if it requires input from me.

If you want to change now then write to your GP surgery and ask to change. If you want to stick with the 2 until need to switch then wait until your GP switches you or stocks run out

 

[goodybags]

I “used to get everything auto-ordered (by my pharmacy) when I took a lot less medication
but found after I started taking insulin, obviously was then getting test strips & needles etc on top of my tablets and was receiving to many
after speaking to someone at the surgery they switched my repeat to
I select what’s needed and when I’ve actually still a few years worth of needles in my wardrobe

 

[Satan’s little helper]

Well? I picked up my Libre 2 plus’s earlier. (As stated on the text notification & the amendment to the online prescription.) Lol, they are Libre 2. The use by date on the box is 31st of March 2026. Looking at the paperwork with the boxes. There must have been an amendment on my online prescription between the time on Tuesday last week I ordered it & the Friday I got the text telling me to pick it up. But the odd thing is on my Libre link app & Juggluco is for since Christmas? The Libres have been telling me they end in 15 days, not 14. (To the hour it was started? I always do Sundays on a change. Check out the bottom? Meant to be a 14 day libre 2. (Rotated for ease of viewing.)

 

[dannybgoode]

Well? I picked up my Libre 2 plus’s earlier. (As stated on the text notification & the amendment to the online prescription.) Lol, they are Libre 2. The use by date on the box is 31st of March 2026. Looking at the paperwork with the boxes. There must have been an amendment on my online prescription between the time on Tuesday last week I ordered it & the Friday I got the text telling me to pick it up. But the odd thing is on my Libre link app & Juggluco is for since Christmas? The Libres have been telling me they end in 15 days, not 14. (To the hour it was started? I always do Sundays on a change. Check out the bottom? Meant to be a 14 day libre 2. (Rotated for ease of viewing.)

My other post refers, I've finally been approved Libre, at least for now and they've given my the 2 and not the 2+ also.

Don't know what will get put on my script at the surgery though, that might be the 2+. Who knows!!