Test strips from ebay?

[Northerner]

Whilst I think it's good that people can get strips off ebay I do wonder about where they come from. I have been approached by people on facebook and twitter wanting to buy strips off me. I wouldn't sell them because the NHS has paid for me to have them, plus I only use what I need. It seems clear that some people are getting strips prescribed and then not using them but selling them on, which I'm not happy with, from a moral standpoint, unless they were actually surplus to requirements - perhaps due to a change of meter.

I'd be interested to know where the strips are sourced from - it could be quite innocent for the majority. Maybe they are bought abroad at cheaper rates and sold on, or perhaps they are 'late use by date' and due to expire so the wholesalers sell them on cheaply, I'm sure there must be some other source other than individuals selling on small quantities.

Does anyone actually know?

Please note I am not having a go at anyone who has to buy strips from ebay here, just wondering.

 

[AlisonM]

I don't know. The supplier I used got them from Germany, that much I do know, but how he got them I have no clue - maybe they're cheaper there. If I'd had the cash I'd have bought them from the chemist here, but I was on benefits at the time and no way could I find up to ?50 per month for strips. So I went for the cheapest option I could in the belief, correct as it turned out, that I really needed to be testing regularly. I had and have some moral/philosophical problems with the fact that I had to go to such lengths to get the strips I neded, but I'd do it again if I were in the same situation in the future. My health comes first.

 

[Northerner]

I don't know. The supplier I used got them from Germany, that much I do know, but how he got them I have no clue - maybe they're cheaper there. If I'd had the cash I'd have bought them from the chemist here, but I was on benefits at the time and no way could I find up to ?50 per month for strips. So I went for the cheapest option I could in the belief, correct as it turned out, that I really needed to be testing regularly. I had and have some moral/philosophical problems with the fact that I had to go to such lengths to get the strips I neded, but I'd do it again if I were in the same situation in the future. My health comes first.

It's certainly possible that they come from elsewhere as the drug companies maximise their profits (and you've confirmed it!) - stuff in the States often costs twice as much as over the counter stuff here, because it's largely funded by insurance companies. I often wonder if the insurance companies have shares in the drug companies, so they can then hike their premiums and it's a win-win for both companies, the only loser being the person paying the premiums! I wonder if East European countries sell them much cheaper?

It is very wrong that people who need them are denied them. I've often thought that you should need to post your results to prove you have used the ones you've been prescribed - maybe not every time, but as a 'spot check'?

 

[AlisonM]

I think it's the other way round Northe, the drug companies have shares in the insurance firms, in the US at least.

 

[donnarob]

Just a thought, how do you know they're compatible with your meter.

Over here, I pay for the initial prescription charge (once a year) then I can get as many test strips that I want. I got 4 boxes of 50 just after Christmas.

Donna

 

[alisonz]

I made a diabetic friend in Australia (thanks to facebook) and from what she says strips over there equate to about ?8.50 per 100 strips.

 

[Andy HB]

I made a diabetic friend in Australia (thanks to facebook) and from what she says strips over there equate to about ?8.50 per 100 strips.

That's much more like what I think they should cost.

To manufacture, they must be in the pennies, surely?!

Andy 🙂

 

[Sheilagh1958]

The one's I have purchased have come from people in the UK rather than a company. So I would imagine they are from people with diabetes who get them prescribed but want to make some money. Not ideal I know but they are so much cheaper to buy. The first lot a bought had shortish dates on them. But the last batch are early 2012.

In an ideal world I would get prescribed them (I have been told that I can have 2-3 tubs a year on prescription) or if I had lots of money would buy them from boots. But unfortunately when you are funding themselves yourself they are a lot cheaper on E-Bay😱

If I was to buy mine strips at Boots the last time I checked the price they were ?27 for a a tub of 50. 😱😱

 

[Northerner]

Just a thought, how do you know they're compatible with your meter.

Over here, I pay for the initial prescription charge (once a year) then I can get as many test strips that I want. I got 4 boxes of 50 just after Christmas.

Donna

I think the strips from manufacturers are pretty standard for their meters, the only difference I'm aware of is that the actual meters might measure in different units like mg/dl or mmol/l etc.

I guess that people could 'get ther money's worth' with a deal like that, and get a few more than they need and sell them on.

I made a diabetic friend in Australia (thanks to facebook) and from what she says strips over there equate to about ?8.50 per 100 strips.

That would certainly undercut the UK considerably - that would make them less than 10p a strip as opposed to more than 50p retail here.

 

[Northerner]

Incidental to this discussion, weren't the NHS recently accused of not sourcing medications etc. from the cheapest source and wasting millions?

 

[macast]

the first lot I bought from ebay at ?9 including postage were 'no longer needed' and had short use-by dates on. but this last lot at ?7 have a 2012 date on them.

the 1st ebayer was selling a lot of clothes as well as the strips

the 2nd ebayer is selling a lot of wax strips and other 'beauty' items so I assumed he had wholesale contacts 🙂

 

[Northerner]

the first lot I bought from ebay at ?9 including postage were 'no longer needed' and had short use-by dates on. but this last lot at ?7 have a 2012 date on them.

the 1st ebayer was selling a lot of clothes as well as the strips

the 2nd ebayer is selling a lot of wax strips and other 'beauty' items so I assumed he had wholesale contacts 🙂

Thanks Marcie, interesting. As I said earlier I wondered if one of the possibilities was perhaps if someone changed meters and had some left over. And I suppose it is possible that someone could buy them wholesale - no reason why not - and undercut the High Street with their ridiculous mark ups. I can't imagine someone getting a better deal than the NHS though, unless they are buying from abroad, which perhaps they are.

 

[Robster65]

Over the past few months we've bought 2 or 3 boxes when the surgery were being silly.

A couple from pharmacy sellers but one at least was private/trader who may or may not have got them from NHS. I would be very surprised if some people profit from their meds. I know I tested very sporadically before last year and could have had a few surplus boxes. It's very sad that some of us are limited and T2s struggle to get any when there are others getting plenty and selling them on.

Rob

 

[macast]

Thanks Marcie, interesting. As I said earlier I wondered if one of the possibilities was perhaps if someone changed meters and had some left over. And I suppose it is possible that someone could buy them wholesale - no reason why not - and undercut the High Street with their ridiculous mark ups. I can't imagine someone getting a better deal than the NHS though, unless they are buying from abroad, which perhaps they are.

I forgot to say that my test strips cost ?25 at the chemist 😱

 

[Northerner]

I forgot to say that my test strips cost ?25 at the chemist 😱

I know! I think mine are ?27.99 at Boots 😱 There was a little fuss about a year ago where some people were being told that their PCT would only pay for a certain kind of strip which was cheaper than all the others - can't remember the name now or what came of it. I think it was oop North somewhere, might try and dig it up...

 

[ypauly]

I have a couple of spare boxes of optium exeed test strips if anybody needs them. It was due to the period I went without testing.

No charge, no fee Dates on them wont be very long though.

 

[margie]

I have a couple of spare boxes of optium exeed test strips if anybody needs them. It was due to the period I went without testing.

No charge, no fee Dates on them wont be very long though.

Can't you use them yourself ? or have you changed meters ?

I am always happy to take Optium Exceed strips of anyone who has them and doesn't need them anymore. Saves the NHS a bit of money, but as I can get them on prescription I would prefer a type 2 who can't get them to have priority over me.

 

[AlisonM]

Just a thought, how do you know they're compatible with your meter.

Over here, I pay for the initial prescription charge (once a year) then I can get as many test strips that I want. I got 4 boxes of 50 just after Christmas.

Donna

When I first searched eBay for strips I put in the make of meter I use and there they were. I've only had incompatible strips once and that was because the pharmacist gave me the wrong ones and I never noticed till I started using them. I've still got the better part of two complete pots for an Abbotts Freestyle (NOT Freestyle Lite) if anyone wants them - I won't even ask for the postage).

 

[Robster65]

Remember folks, if buying strips from a store/merchant/shop you can get them VAT free.

I asked in Boots and got it knocked off. You may need to sign/authorise a declaration but worthwhile doing.🙂

Sadly won't work if buying from 'Dodgy Derek' via ebay.🙄

Rob

 

[lyndasw]

I have bought stripes three times off ebay. I cannot have them on prescription and ?27.00 a box for 50 is a lot of money. The last lot I had from e bay the seller had actually left the 'chemist' sticker on them with his personal details, you know the sticker you get on all your items? So either he is prescribed too many or he doesn't test much and prefers to make a quick tenner! 🙄