Are test strips universal ?

[ColinUK]

Yes, it’s like a plastic credit card sized thing.

But you don’t have to show it when getting prescriptions filled.
NHS Business knows you’ve got the exemption certificate so once it’s granted all you do is tick the box.

 

[helli]

But you don’t have to show it when getting prescriptions filled.
NHS Business knows you’ve got the exemption certificate so once it’s granted all you do is tick the bo

Pre-covid, my pharmacy always asked to see my card, recorded the number and checked the expiration date.
I believe they could be responsible for paying the cost of the prescription if the card has expired.
At the moment, they are minimising time and contact so not checking the card.

If I remember correctly, it is valid for 5 years.
My main message is don't loose your card - you may need it when you pick up a prescription and you will need it to check the expiration date.

 

[trophywench]

They know me and my family in our pharmacy so never asked unless they had a new girl and while she was asking me, someone would usually look up and call to the girl to tell her it was alright. (The number of Trainee Pharmacists there I've been asked to show & explain my pump to, over the last 10 years! They scratch my back often enough, why wouldn't I reciprocate?)

When driving, I always had to think about D before I got in the car and test my BG - but on long journeys over 2 hours, I used to bag the first stint as I could get up at 5am and eg drive down the M5 to Bristol whilst my first husband went back to sleep, so we'd be in his car with the reclining seats not mine without! then we swapped for the final bit along the A30 into N Devon and he'd wake me up to open the ruddy gate into the site where our friend kept his caravan. So it never preyed on my mind cos by then my BG was stable - as it already was anyway by the time I even started learning to drive at 30+.

 

[Inka]

But you don’t have to show it when getting prescriptions filled.
NHS Business knows you’ve got the exemption certificate so once it’s granted all you do is tick the box.

No, not normally, but they’re entitled to request it. My pharmacy had a little drive of asking to see it a few years ago. I keep mine in my purse.

 

[grovesy]

No, not normally, but they’re entitled to request it. My pharmacy had a little drive of asking to see it a few years ago. I keep mine in my purse.

There was also reports of people being fined too, many don't realize the cards expire!

 

[SaraKaya]

I have bought a back up pen and meter! I didn’t realise I could get these on prescription! I was going through hundreds of strips in the early weeks blasted Er3 on the meter! Didn’t realise you could add these to the prescription as well! There wasn’t anyone to ask!
I only found out about the exemption certificate by accident, the joys of being diagnosed during lockdown.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

But you don’t have to show it when getting prescriptions filled.
NHS Business knows you’ve got the exemption certificate so once it’s granted all you do is tick the box.

Though you can be asked to show it at any pharmacy - I have been every once in a while when collecting at a new one that don’t know me by sight. 😉

Hope you can get your allowance of strips increased easily @Type1Pat - you certainly shouldn’t need to buy them if you are on insulin, and research data shows that using up to 8-10 a day is actually more cost effective than using only a handful a day, because more data points generally improve diabetes management decisions, long term outcomes and quality of life.

I get about 300 a month I think, though I only reorder when I start my last box and my strip use has dive-bombed since starting on the Dexcom G6

 

[ColinUK]

Though you can be asked to show it at any pharmacy - I have been every once in a while when collecting at a new one that don’t know me by sight. 😉

Hope you can get your allowance of strips increased easily @Type1Pat - you certainly shouldn’t need to buy them if you are on insulin, and research data shows that using up to 8-10 a day is actually more cost effective than using only a handful a day, because more data points generally improve diabetes management decisions, long term outcomes and quality of life.

I get about 300 a month I think, though I only reorder when I start my last box and my strip use has dive-bombed since starting on the Dexcom G6

They know you by sight when you go in stripping eh?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

They know you by sight when you go in stripping eh?

Full brass band backing!

 

[trophywench]

I've not asked this before when I've encountered male Type 1s with beards, but it was jokingly mentioned this morning by a (non diabetic) chap with a newly grown beard during our coffee morning today - you know when you re-enjoy the food secreted within your beard you saved for later, do you have to bolus for it?

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I've not asked this before when I've encountered male Type 1s with beards, but it was jokingly mentioned this morning by a (non diabetic) chap with a newly grown beard during our coffee morning today - you know when you re-enjoy the food secreted within your beard you saved for later, do you have to bolus for it?

I think you need a Roald Dahl’s Mr Twit style chin for that kind of snacking.