Are all pharmaceutical companies evil?

DeusXM · #1 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 06:02 AM

Probably, but at least some of them are nice about it!

I've just got off the phone with Roche because I was ordering some new batteries for my Accu-Chek Active - one of the perks is that they provide free batteries for life, provided you ring up and ask. However, whilst I was on the phone, the guy at the other end said they've got a new monitor brand available and they're upgrading all their customers at the moment, so do I want a new monitor for free?

Granted, it makes sense for them, since I'm guessing they'll be phasing out the Active and the Accutrend in the near future so it's a good way to make sure I still get their lancets and strips, but to be honest I was pretty chuffed that they'll just give me a free monitor. Hope it's reasonably good - it's the Aviva.

duck · #2 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 06:10 AM

****. Drug dealers on every level use the same tactics, don't they? Give out some free samples of the goods to get you hooked, then, when you need to feed the addiction, THEN they charge you.

sarcasm sarcasm sarcasm

JediSkipdogg · #3 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 06:43 AM

I've used the Aviva and it's a good meter. The strips are very nice and easy to use. I can't say much for any other functions as I haven't really played with those yet.

butterflykisses · #4 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 08:22 AM

They sent me the Aviva free with 50 strips. I didn't call them, I got the offer in the mail for the meter, thought why not so I sent off for it. I don't think it took a week to get it. But the surprise was the 50 strips that came with it. There was no mention of free strips (other than the 10 that came in the kit) so I was pleasantly surprised! I too like it. The lancet device is nice to. No one should ever pay for a meter, EVER. You can always get them free, usually just by calling and asking for one. Sometimes your insurance companies will send you one. I often see them in the sale papers with instant rebates. NEVER pay for a meter! Like was already mentioned, they give the meters away because you can't use them without the strips and the strips are where the money is.

spike · #5 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by butterflykisses

They sent me the Aviva free with 50 strips. I didn't call them, I got the offer in the mail for the meter, thought why not so I sent off for it. I don't think it took a week to get it. But the surprise was the 50 strips that came with it. There was no mention of free strips (other than the 10 that came in the kit) so I was pleasantly surprised! I too like it. The lancet device is nice to. No one should ever pay for a meter, EVER. You can always get them free, usually just by calling and asking for one. Sometimes your insurance companies will send you one. I often see them in the sale papers with instant rebates. NEVER pay for a meter! Like was already mentioned, they give the meters away because you can't use them without the strips and the strips are where the money is.

I agree, no one should pay for a meter since the strips are where the mfgrs make their moolah. I've gotten about 10 free meters recently from Roche, Abbott, and LifeScan. Lifescan was the tough one--I had to speak with a "higher up", as some of you here know.

Yes, the lancet device is both unusual, and excellent (6 lancet drum).

lgvincent · #6 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 09:08 AM

I don't really like the Aviva. I guess it's an okay meter but I've always liked the Complete and the Advantage. They no longer make the Complete, I guess it didn't sell well enough.

lottadata · #7 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 09:55 AM

I got an Aviva right at the time when I started insulin, wanting to be safe. Ha!

Turned out I got a couple batches of bad strips that read 49 mg/dl higher than the lab (when I finally got to the lab) and I was hypo without knowing it. What a mess this made when I called the doctor with "normal" blood sugars and all the symptoms of a hypo. They thought I was nuts.

The meter that didn't match the lab ended up recalled, but when they sent me a replacement, it got the same readings with the same strips! They sent me new ones from the company that worked fine and I used them for a month.

Then I filled my prescription at Walgreens, and the meter was reading WAY high again. That was a month's worth of strips, down the drain.

I switched to an Ultra and have never again had any problem with strips.

Be WARNED.

butterflykisses · #8 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 10:54 AM

Since I got the free strips with the meter I've been periodically testing with both my onetouch ultrasmart and the aviva at the same time. So far no problems with this batch! how did the test strips fair with the control solution?