[JasonJayhawk]

ARGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Tell me if you've done this before....

I was going through my bucket of diabetes supplies for an end-of-the-year inventory, which included all of my boxes of Accuchek Aviva test strips.

It turns out that I made a terrible error in organizing my supplies. With the twins and a busy schedule, I have not been paying much attention to which strips I've been using, since I always (so I thought) put the oldest strips at the top of my supply bucket so that they'd be used first.

Well, it turns out that I have eleven boxes of 100 strips that expire on December 31, 2007. And I only have one week to use them up before they suddenly "self-destruct."

When I organized them, I thought they were 12/2008 strips. My mail-order prescription company sent me strips that had short expirations for two 3-month cycles, and I guess I missed this. For the last 4 months, I've been using strips that expire in March 2008. Ooops!

Accuchek Aviva has some smarts built in that I would not have expected, but they generate good revenue for Rosche. The Aviva uses a key-code chip, so I figured that by back-dating the clock on my meter, I could fool the meter into allowing me to use the strips in the next 3 months. The key-code presents the user from using expired strips, and I figured that changing the date on the meter would fool it into thinking the date has not yet approached.

This was a no-go. It somehow knows the impending date is approaching...somehow, there must be a second internal clock set at the factory that cannot be modified, even when removing the battery... it's indicating "exp code". When I tried using a sample vial of 10 strips that had expired 4 months ago in the back-dated meter (and even a new meter that I've never used before), it immediately refused to allow the test to go through by beeping at me upon placing the strip in the meter.

This is a painful discovery, because I thought my spare stash of strips was going to be around for hard times, but now I am going to be living on the edge to hope I have enough strips to last until the next 3 month order can be made.

UGggggGGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!

My current plan is to try to calibrate a "key code" chip that belongs to unexpired strips to be able to use the expired strips.

I'm just displeased that they have placed a hidden date timer in the meter to ensure that people get forced to discarding their test strips. It assures an easy revenue stream for them (and probably lowers counterfeiting of strips, since they make the chips and strips in different Chinese villages...)

Has anyone else made a discovery of a massive stash of strips (or insulin0 only to discover that it expires soon?

Now to go test myself 30 times in the next 24 hours, since I have the spare strips to do it with... I'm really mad that they programmed their meters to refuse strips past the expiration date. Did they really do it for my safety, or their revenue? I'm sure that some engineer for their company would be laughing at my message right now, as they pat themselves on the back for a job well done. I'm sure they were non-diabetic and feel like they saved the world from expired strips...

I would have been left with a better feeling by donating them to someone who needs them, rather than letting them rot like this.

Wish my insurance company covered Freestyle strips....

[Harold]

Jason, that's a bummer. Thanks for the heads up on the Accuchek Aviva. I'll be sure to avoid that one. I've used expired strips in my Ultras without any problem. I just check the first strip with control solution to see if they are still okay. Never had a bad vial yet even when they are 3 or 4 months old.

[soso]

Have you tried ringing them and asking if they will replace them?

Might work...

[lgvincent]

I have had the same problem with some strips before, it may be the Aviva meter but I can't remember. It seems I hat to set the date back by several years to get the expired strips to be accepted.

[DCaplinger]

I concur with SOSO. Don't panic. Call them. The people at Roche have been very friendly and helpful with me both times I've had to call them. They will do what it takes to make you a satisfied customer, so that you will continue to use and suggest their products.

I love my Aviva, and I told them that when I realized the pen that came with it would not work with the replacement lancets my pharmacy gave me. So, they are shipping me a new pen that will work with the new lancets... free of charge.

Sometimes, it's worth giving away a few dollars worth of product in order to retain a customer that will purchase enough product over time to make up for it.

Regards,

Darian

[palefacegirl03]

I would call them and see if they will change some out. Cant hurt to ask.

I can send you a couple of boxes of unexpired One Touch Ultra if you need them to get you thru just let me know.

[notme]

I also have a massive stash of Freestyle Flash strips. I could not order for year. I will make sure I have the dates arranged correctly. Thanks for the reminder. I am sorry you made an error, but I would call also and see if they will replace some of them.

[JasonJayhawk]

Here's a follow-up....

Yesterday, I called Accu-chek's customer service up and briefly explained how frequently I test (10 times a day) and how I discovered ten boxes (of 100 each) of strips that expire on December 31.

I told the rep that I understand how strips have to expire, but explained my circumstances of how I misorganized my supply container with preemie twins and a new busy family life. I asked, while understanding that I am taking my own risks, how I could still use the strips (with the correct calibration key code) and still use the expired strips despite the fact that the meter's time/date is programmed.

The rep explained what we already knew -- that a "fault prevention" date clock is built into the meter to avoid people from "hurting themselves by using expired strips on a meter that is expired." This was something we already know, but it at least confirmed how Accu-chek prevents expired strips from being used on a meter that has had its clock turned back to intentionally bypass the expiration issue.

Since my "hinting" about the 1,000 soon-to-expire expire strips was insufficient in them offering an exchange or replacement for strips was not effective, I had to come right out and ask:

Me: "Is there any way I could exchange my soon-to-expire strips for ones that will expire in 3 months directly with Accu-Chek? Especially if you guys had soon-to-expire strips laying around that would just be trashed, anyhow?!"

CSR: "No, no, no, we can't do that. I recommend that you discard the strips, and call your doctor for a prescription for new strips. Do you have any other questions with me today?"

Me: "Can anyone else, such as a supervisor, make a different decision?"

CSR: "No. Just get a new prescription from your doctor if you want more strips."

Me: "I don't need a new prescription. I have a few more boxes remaining of strips that don't expire until March, that I had been using for the last three months, instead of the older strips, which I thought expired in 12/2008. And I already have an prescription for strips, that isn't my problem."

CSR: "Sorry about that, but for your safety, there's no way you can use the strips after they expire. Just discard them. Just use up what you can before December 31. Any other questions with me today?"

At this point, I was flustered, and hung up.

I really hate Bayer meters, but at my next endo appointment, it looks like I'm switching to the only other brand my insurance company will cover. (I wish they covered Freestyle strips!)

I'm annoyed at you, Accu-chek. I'm sure the non-diabetic mogul investors thank you for developing a way to ensure that customers cannot make use of strips that are expired. Your smart, non-diabetic engineers sure know how to keep the revenue stream predicitable.

Wonder if they ever troll these message boards.... if they do, I'm a very unhappy customer. You just lost $3,600 in yearly retail sales from me. But in a positive light, I'm sure at least one of the ten newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetics in the last hour in America will fill that sales gap for you guys with no problem, so that my switchover won't even make a blip on your positive revenue chart.

But I hope my word-of-mouth stings you guys a bit more.

[JediSkipdogg]

Here's my advice, CALL AGAIN. I've found in the customer service world that there are a few people that care. So if you keep calling you may get the answer you want.

Also, if they try the just get a new prescription thing then do a little lying. Explain that you live prescription order to prescription and that your insurance won't covering you getting a supply of more strips. And that if you can't get the boxes replaced you will have to go 3 months without testing or get a prescription for a different meter company hoping your insurance doesn't catch it. At which point you will be taking your service elsewhere.

That should really put a pinch on them.

[camjen1]

If it were me, I'd probably be a little devious and somehow use the strips up in a creative way since they won't replace them. You can always send Bayer a belated Christmas card filled with 1000 useless strips and tell them where they can stick everyone of those useless strips up. But that's just me!

[JasonJayhawk]

Originally Posted by camjen1

If it were me, I'd probably be a little devious and somehow use the strips up in a creative way since they won't replace them. You can always send Bayer a belated Christmas card filled with 1000 useless strips and tell them where they can stick everyone of those useless strips up. But that's just me!

HAAHAHAHAA! I think you meant Accu-chek. Bayer is going to (unfortunately) be my new "friend".

And with any bad luck, the strips will be considered biohazards and some people wearing sunglasses and biohazard suits from the post office will be knocking on my door, thinking that I was mailing a biohazard cluster bomb of strips!

I'll give Accu-chek another call on Monday. Hopefully, I don't get the same person on the phone. If I do, I'll just hang up and keep calling back with caller-ID blocked. ( hee, hee )

I had to wait on hold for 40 minutes. They all must be on vacation.

[dar917]

I found that out the hard way too, only it wasn't my fault. There's a surplus store here that sells expired strips for half price. Being newly diagnosed I wasn't aware of the new Aviva not letting you reset the date back. They let me return the strips but they're still selling them.

Let us know what happens when you call them again. I would bet that if you talk to someone else they might help. That that one wouldn't even let you talk to a supervisor or summat is a crock. Make sure you get a name too.

[DCaplinger]

That irks me so much, I'm going to take action. I'm going to write them a letter, and give them a link to this very post.

Nothing makes a company take action faster than a disgruntled lifetime customer.

Regards,

Darian

[goodbattery]

I'm at similar situation with expired strips but just a little high on sugar. The difference between I and all of you above is that I'm an electrical mechanic. I just rest my Accu-chek Aviva date because I have no better things to do but mess with it. Yeah, no life. Alright here is how.
1. take the button battery and code card out.
2. on back of unit above the word "Germany" there is a star screw, remove it. Get star screw driver or cheaper tips to insert into driver.
3. pry open between the seam of unit with flat tip screw driver. do it without poking your hand!
4. now you see circuit board, has 4 lock tabs on edge, remove circuit board.
5. flip circuit board to see a small internal battery, probably rechargeable.
6. with this battery facing you, unsolder the right edge of battery tab to disconnect but not remove. Once disconnected, unit is reset. Re-solder battery edge.
put every thing back together but set to an unexpired date on unit. Unit has manufacturer date of 2007, 12-30 on my unit.

I have picture of this but if it sounds to hard for you then buy another Aviva test unit and set it before your expired strips. Test unit will have a manufacturer date, (a minimum date) hopefully is before your expired test strip date.
Email me for pic, but I still have dialup. No $ and too cheap to go high speed cable.
goodbattery@gmail.com

[JasonJayhawk]

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's too late to use my old strips (I ended up using most of them with a key code for a newer date, but calibrated what I had to calculate in my head to skew the numbers in the correct direction).

Awesome job, Goodbattery! I'm so glad you figured it out. I'll pass the word on about your engineering effort to reset the internal battery.

It was a dirty-dog trick of the company to do this. Makes me wonder how much less their strips would cost if they hadn't "invested" in this engineering effort in the first place.

Again, splendid work. Thanks for taking the time to sign up and post your work.