[xMenace]

Originally Posted by Tattoo azz

Diabetics don't pay for any prescriptions,

Actually only a diabetic on tablets or insulin get free prescriptions on the NHS (and that is any presciption meds too now just diabetes meds) if you are diet controlled you have to pay the NHS fee of around £7 per item on the prescription !!

What's the definition of a prescription? insulin and pills certainly, but do strips, lancets, infusion sets and reservoirs, alcohol swabs, and meters all qualify?

This is like figuring out life insurance

[Cloudedbrains]

Test strips and lancets and 1 litre sharps boxes are on repeat prescription
I believe supplies for a pump would be obtained from district nurses but I aint sure as I aint on a pump

[davef]

In Ireland, when diagnosed your GP completes a form with a list of necessary medications and also supplies (strips/lancets), this is submitted to our Health Board and when approved we get whatever is on the prescriptions for free (well in exchange for paying our taxes really). Its part of what's called the Long Term Illness scheme. Strange thing is Asthmatics don't qualify for the scheme!

If I need an anti-biotic I will have to pay as it's not diabetes related.

[SueM]

Originally Posted by xMenace

What's the definition of a prescription? insulin and pills certainly, but do strips, lancets, infusion sets and reservoirs, alcohol swabs, and meters all qualify?

This is like figuring out life insurance

Yep they all qualify except the meter. But plenty of freebies about. Plus all other meds too even if not diabetes related. If you have diabetes the whole lot is free as long as your diabetes is not diet controlled only.

[fgummett]

Originally Posted by SueM

If you have diabetes the whole lot is free as long as your diabetes is not diet controlled only.

So someone with D who is controlled with diet and exercise only does not qualify for test strips This is bass-ackwards Surely it makes more sense to do as much as possible to slow/delay/minimise the onset of D... otherwise we are stuck with the old model of only treating complications.

An ounce of prevention...

[CarrieB]

They don't qualify for free prescriptions for test strips and lancets, but if on a low income they would qualify for free prescriptions. If not there's a standard charge of £7.10 per item on a prescription, or an annual prepayment option of £102.50 which will cover all prescriptions, for anything, for the year.

Alternatively, Brits can move to Wales where prescriptions are now free for everyone.

[IrishJoe]

I guess Im lucky.. I can get 200 strips from my pharmacist (they are nice to me after I kicked up a fuss about them 'not knowing' me when I wanted needles !) and its no problems. )

I really would kick up but in a controlled way. In my limited experience diabetes nurses will help and will go for the jugular if they think you aren't getting what you need.

[Lizzie G]

Originally Posted by JJM335

I don't have any problem with "rationing" as such. My GP is happy to prescribe enough strips to allow me to test 10+ times per day.

However, because I live out in the wilds, the local GP Practice does it's own dispensing. They refuse to issue prescriptions even though I work in the city and could easily drop into a Chemist's at lunchtime.

The problem is that they insist that they are only allowed to prescribe a maximum of 1 month's supply of ANY of my medications - Perhaps they are expecting a cure for diabetes in the next month.

Because none of the items run out at the same time, I am having to call in to collect things on a weekly basis and since they are open only between 8.30 am and 5.30 pm weekdays, I have to take time off work to collect my stuff.

I have tried to point out to them that it would save them time and effort if they would give me 3 months supply at a time, but they insist that this is "against the rules".

Joel

I have the exact same issue; I use a prescribing practice so whilst I work in a city I have to go back to my local surgery to get my prescriptions. I have managed to ease the issue by stockpiling where necessary and re-using needles and lancets.

same issue re 3 months supply as well. my personal favourite is that when a cycle of repeats ends I have to see the GP for an appointment to get more insulin. the GP always looks baffled and nervous when I walk in and says things like 'so, er, what are your blood sugars like', i tell her, she nervously writes it down and starts doodling, clearly not having a clue what the number i just told her means....total waste of everyones time...

[DeusXM]

Incidentally, some places aren't particularly sharp at monitoring who they give stuff too anyway. I've been back in the UK this week and managed to stock up on free supplies to go back home with - which means I now won't need to buy any insulin or test strips until at least December, when I'll be back again!

[Geoff]

I am the same as DeusXM, I am presently working on a long term contract in India, I come home every three months. My GP practice has an online repeat system, I just order three months worth one week before I get back home, go to my Chemist, and there bit is to pick. But unlike Deus, my GP knows that I do it and has no problems with it.