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supply of aviva test strips

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Loretta S

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Relationship to Diabetes
Parent of person with diabetes
we have been told by all our local chemists that Aviva test strips are in short supply and they can't get any more. Is this just a local problem or is there something else causing this?
 
Loretta S said:
we have been told by all our local chemists that Aviva test strips are in short supply and they can't get any more. Is this just a local problem or is there something else causing this?
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I picked up my prescription for mine this afternoon, no problem.
 
If there's such a problem in Real Life - Roche email all pump users to tell them about it, how to 'manage' the shortage and when normal service will be resumed.

When there has been any problem or shortage, the notification is in red and we are required to acknowledge receipt of it - if we don't we get an urgent reminder from them.

No emails from them about this, so somebody's not right somewhere along the line!
 
Ring the Roche Helpline anyway and ask directly.
 
Not sure what machine you use but I have had this problem in Ireland the last few months - told by chemist that strips for AccuChek Aviva (yeah I know old school but changing at the weekend - hopefully) were discontinued - rang them and the strips for this machine "were in the process of being discontinued". Maybe as Jenny says give them a call about your particular machine.
 
Shiv Gaffney said:
Not sure what machine you use but I have had this problem in Ireland the last few months - told by chemist that strips for AccuChek Aviva (yeah I know old school but changing at the weekend - hopefully) were discontinued - rang them and the strips for this machine "were in the process of being discontinued". Maybe as Jenny says give them a call about your particular machine.
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I use an ancient AccuChck Aviva too! ( it's over ten years old!) But surely, the strips are the same as for their more up to date models? There's a whole list of meters listed on the side of the packet, including their current model of the Aviva and the Expert, which all take the same strips. Surely they can't be discontinuing strips for their newer models. (Not that I'm doubting what you were told, Shiv, I just wonder if it was the whole story. Maybe they have got supply problems and they're not admitting it)
 
I've not heard of them discontinuing the strips and I certainly hope they aren't as I use the Aviva Expert, surely if it were true I would've had a call from the Dr or my diabetes team or something? I'm ever so slightly panicking now lol xx
 
Kaylz said:
I've not heard of them discontinuing the strips and I certainly hope they aren't as I use the Aviva Expert, surely if it were true I would've had a call from the Dr or my diabetes team or something? I'm ever so slightly panicking now lol xx
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Don't panic! If you look on the Accu-chek website, there is a notice about the withdrawal of the Multiclix finger pricker, so I'm sure if they really were withdrawing test strips there would be a similar notice.
 
Robin said:
Don't panic! If you look on the Accu-chek website, there is a notice about the withdrawal of the Multiclix finger pricker, so I'm sure if they really were withdrawing test strips there would be a similar notice.
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I've sent them a contact forum on their site so will post an update of their response when I receive it xx
 
I've had to ring round all the local pharmacy's to find some.
My usual pharmacy told me to get a different meter :confused: as they can't get the strips.
I rang DSN who said there are no problems and told me to ring around local pharmacy's in the quest for strips.
I found a pharmacy that have 100 strips.
I rang the surgery, who are sending a script over to the above pharmacy for said testing strips.
I rang the pharmacy back and they have put the strips aside for me to collect tomorrow.
I rang the Aviva helpline who said there IS a manufacturing problem, which they hope to get sorted soon, in the meantime they are posting me some strips.

The Aviva helpline number is: 0800701000. If you are having problems getting the strips, they will send some to you.
 
Because I order insulin 'ad hoc' rather than every 28 days - I sometimes order test strips at the same time, as well as on my 'monthly' order, so as to have a stockpile and no panic for getting them like there are with tablets - currently have 6 boxes in the cupboard! LOL
 
Yes was told by pharmacist about the multiclix at the same time as the strips a few months back but as I have a good few finger prickers didn't really affect me - just got my prescription changed. Going to change machines anyway so hopefully won't be affected whatever the story with the strips is! Could be just a line I got when I rang them - as Robin says maybe a problem with supply.
 
It has been suggested by someone who spent time talking to the Roche helpline that there is a (temporary?) manufacturing issue, and that Accu-chek strips may be in short supply for a while.

I would suggest people try to re-order a little early so that they have a reasonable number left in hand and don't risk running out if their supply is delayed by a week or so.

I've had this a few times recently with Contour strips too. Some pharmacy or other telling me they can't get any from their supplier and there's a manufacturing issue, when reports from others in the UK show no effect on supply.

Makes sense to order when you've still got a box or two left I think.
 
Well a lot of them of various makes are made in Malaysia and one factory was taken out in either a tsunami, hurricane, flood or fire - some BIG disaster anyway - a while back and did cause a shortage - but not heard of anything major like that for a few years.

There's always a way round it - and as I said initially - always check back with the meter company before panicking.
 
Well I'd lost all hope of receiving a reply HOWEVER they have just called me from Mannheim (wow 5* for customer service lol) they just confirmed what Lucy said and said that the manufacturing problem should be solved in 1-2 weeks they ARE NOT discontinuing them, they are sending me a pot and if I need anymore before the issue is fixed to get in touch again xx
 
I received 100 strips today and they are also sending out another 100 today, they told me to ring again if I need more.
I'm seeing my DSN next Friday and will ask her for some too. Just hope the problem is resolved soon.
 
I'm not in desperate need of them so 50 will do me at the moment, haven't put a repeat in this month yet as got enough for a wee while but will be trying in a week or so xx
 
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