Blood test strips on prescription.

[Martin Jones]

I have type 2 diabetes and am looking to get a new blood test meter. I have been recommended the Accu-Chek Aviva Expert. What I want to know, is this a good choice and are the test strips available on prescription. Many thanks.

 

[Jeandp]

I have a True You meter prescribed last year by my GP, and they are continuing to prescribe strips every time I ask, which amazes me after reading other comments on here.

 

[Amigo]

I have type 2 diabetes and am looking to get a new blood test meter. I have been recommended the Accu-Chek Aviva Expert. What I want to know, is this a good choice and are the test strips available on prescription. Many thanks.

I’d be surprised if your GP would prescribe testing strips on prescription but certainly ask. Are you receiving these presently on prescription for another meter Martin?

The issue of type 2’s being given testing strips on prescription is a contentious one and it seems to depend on individual surgery attitudes and whether the patient is subject to hypos. It’s worth fighting for.

The Codefree meter is usually recommended on here as having the cheapest testing strips to buy.

 

[Drummer]

Rather than being restricted or denied supplies, a Code Free or other cheap option meter is possibly the easiest way to get sorted out - for most type twos it only needs a few weeks to get the main foods you can eat sorted out, and after that only a new food would require testing.
I did delay eating a dessert and then tested to see if it was OK - but after a while when it was always OK I stopped checking that.

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

The Accu-check Expert meter is specifically designed for bolus calculation so really comes into its own when being used in intensive insulin therapy.

Not sure if that applies to you?

But yes, the strips are available on prescription. As far as I remember, you would need a suitably qualified HCP to demonstrate the functions of the Expert and help you get to set up with insulin:carb ratios etc.

 

[trophywench]

I was never awarded the 'Expert' meter but had to wait until I got my pump and the 'matched' version of the same meter with the add-ons with the Combo pump.

Quite a few people on DSF got one to use on MDI before me - but they cost the NHS £50 ish, so my DNS told me, so unless you really really need one I should think it's most unlikely you'd get one on prescription. Ditto the strips really - they are if not the most expensive, certainly in the highest price range.

 

[Katieb]

I’ve just moved from an Accu Chek Aviva Nano to a Codefree simply due to the cost of the strips, Does a good job for me!

 

[mikeyB]

Unless you are on insulin, the Accu Check Aviva Expert is rather over the top for simple BG measurement. And expensive. The Codefree is just as good, and simple.

 

[JayBay]

My doctor lets me have strips on prescription, but only for certain monitors so perhaps you need to check with your surgery.

 

[Brando77]

At the moment I get acc-chek strips on prescription but that was because they put me on Gliclazide which can cause hypos. As they've halved the dose and started me on Metformin I think I'll be taken off Gliclazide so no more strips. But, I'll get straight on to codefree and self finance.
Gotta check your bg levels otherwise you're in a world of unknowing.

 

[Jeandp]

I am not on any meds of any kind now and they were reluctant to prescribe the strips last time, but I argued that it was only because I had the strips that I was able to come off the meds. They then prescribed them.

 

[Sally W]

I am not on any meds of any kind now and they were reluctant to prescribe the strips last time, but I argued that it was only because I had the strips that I was able to come off the meds. They then prescribed them.

Good argument and common sense as cheaper than meds. Why don’t other GPS see that?!