Libre 1 sensors going spare

[JJay]

Hope this is OK to post.

My prescription was recently changed from Libre 1 to Libre 2 and to my suprise 2 x L2 sensors were issued immediately even though I'd only collected the L1 ones the week before! What with those and 2 more that I have "in hand" arising from self-funding up until a year ago, I now have 4 x L1 sensors that I'm unlikely to use.

I know that prescription items can't be returned for re-use, even though they are well in date and the boxes completely intact, but can anyone suggest somewhere I could donate them, or maybe someone on here who is self-funding would appreciate a freebie?

 

[helli]

I have had Libre 2 approved but on the condition I use up my supplies of Libre 1 first. The reason for this is that my CCG keep close tabs on their funds - they have funded the Libre so expect them to be used by me ... or at least within their CCG.

 

[grovesy]

They cost the same.

 

[Sally71]

We had one left over from when we switched to Dexcom, I took it in to the next hospital check up and gave it to them. They said they could either find someone who could use it or it might come in handy for training purposes.

 

[Kaylz]

Are you a member of Facebook? There's a UK based Type 1 Pay It Forward group that I'm sure someone would be happy to rehome them xx

 

[danielmg]

On this note, I was wondering where I could easily advertise (other than fb) that I have 4x boxes of 50 Finetest Lite BG test strips for a good home? If anyone on the forum uses this meter then I would be happy to send for free.

 

[JJay]

I have had Libre 2 approved but on the condition I use up my supplies of Libre 1 first. The reason for this is that my CCG keep close tabs on their funds - they have funded the Libre so expect them to be used by me ... or at least within their CCG.

Presumably my CCG had no problem with my GP issuing the L2 script before I needed them! Yes, quite happy to approach the Community Diabetes Team as suggested by @Sally71 . As the other two were funded by me I will investigate the FB group suggested by @Kaylz

Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[everydayupsanddowns]

I was looking up something the other day, and I noted that passing on or sharing prescribed items was not just ‘frowned upon’, but was actually illegal in the UK.

Does seem terrible that things like that can’t be taken back and reused (though @Amity Island has some horror stories about that), but there are very strict ‘chain of custody’ regulations for pharmacies, and they can’t issue thing that might have been tampered with or stored incorrectly.

 

[Kaylz]

passing on or sharing prescribed items

I think that's more in the lines of medication rather than equipment, I've just given my MIL a meter and 150 strips as I'm changing, I've sent strips to others in need and I've received strips, helping someone else is better than it going to waste, I obviously wouldn't do it with insulin or meds though xx

 

[JJay]

My understanding is that selling prescribed medicines is illegal, rightly so, and of course I have no intention of doing this, nor of returning my sensors to the pharmacy for re-use, which I know is impossible.

However we are not talking about medicines/drugs, which I wouldn't dream of offering elsewhere, but unused equipment still sealed in its packaging. I know I have in the past donated old meters/testing strips and pens to charities and I see this as similar.

While CCGs are limiting the availability of sensors on prescription, thus forcing many of those who by using them could benefit both themselves and the NHS, to self-fund, often at considerable sacrifice to their finances, I don't feel comfortable having 4 sensors "in hand", which will likely result in them going out of date and therefore unusable by anyone. The NHS is in crisis and the more people who make a stand against unneccessary waste the better, as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, I could use the L1 sensors myself but having already applied my first L2 and found it satisfyingly more accurate than the L1s, I'm reluctant to revert, especially if there are other people who could make better use of them.

As suggested above, I will be contacting my Community Diabetes Team on Monday to get their advice and I do hope they will be able to find a good use for my spare sensors.

 

[grovesy]

I was looking up something the other day, and I noted that passing on or sharing prescribed items was not just ‘frowned upon’, but was actually illegal in the UK.

Does seem terrible that things like that can’t be taken back and reused (though @Amity Island has some horror stories about that), but there are very strict ‘chain of custody’ regulations for pharmacies, and they can’t issue thing that might have been tampered with or stored incorrectly.

I think that's more in the lines of medication rather than equipment, I've just given my MIL a meter and 150 strips as I'm changing, I've sent strips to others in need and I've received strips, helping someone else is better than it going to waste, I obviously wouldn't do it with insulin or meds though xx

I had a dodgy batch of One Touch strips many years ago and when I rang them with the problem, I got the impression that it was not unusual for the strips to have been handled wrongly in the supply chain. They even sent me packaging to return to them to be examined when the sent me replacement meter and strips.

 

[Sweetz]

My understanding is that selling prescribed medicines is illegal, rightly so, and of course I have no intention of doing this, nor of returning my sensors to the pharmacy for re-use, which I know is impossible.

However we are not talking about medicines/drugs, which I wouldn't dream of offering elsewhere, but unused equipment still sealed in its packaging. I know I have in the past donated old meters/testing strips and pens to charities and I see this as similar.

While CCGs are limiting the availability of sensors on prescription, thus forcing many of those who by using them could benefit both themselves and the NHS, to self-fund, often at considerable sacrifice to their finances, I don't feel comfortable having 4 sensors "in hand", which will likely result in them going out of date and therefore unusable by anyone. The NHS is in crisis and the more people who make a stand against unneccessary waste the better, as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, I could use the L1 sensors myself but having already applied my first L2 and found it satisfyingly more accurate than the L1s, I'm reluctant to revert, especially if there are other people who could make better use of them.

As suggested above, I will be contacting my Community Diabetes Team on Monday to get their advice and I do hope they will be able to find a good use for my spare sensors.

Im a self funder so I would be more than happy to give these a new home