CyprusLiving

For those who get their blood test strips on prescription from the General hospital, they have changed the make of test strips they issue to diabetics. This means purchasing a new meter. Whether the pharmacies will have them in stock or not I don't know until until I get chance to call and see.

Sue

What is the brand now please?

It is called OKmeter Cameo Louise - Not one that I've come across before. Just one tub with 50 inserts in.

Sue

Thank you Sue. I use the on-call system from the private pharmacies. I just wondered if the hospital pharmacy was offering the same now.

I was told I would need to buy a new machine as the hospital pharmacy are not dispensing 'on call' anymore. The next time I am in Geroskipou I will check with the local pharmacy to see if they are or will be stocking the OKmeter. The new strips are not much use if you can't get a machine to put them in!!

Sue

Yes thanks Sue I did not notice that, only this morning I was getting my usual diabetic stuff, they never said I would need a new testing machine, are they hopeless or what, this is very important and not to tell you is unthinkable..please let us know where you buy the test machine and the cost.

Thank you

There was a Cypriot demonstration last week about this http://cyprus-mail.com/2014/01/24/diabetics-say-theyre-being-ripped-off/

Jeanne

Thank you Jeanne..admin edit below.

By Elias Hazou

Diabetics yesterday mounted a demonstration outside parliament against what they claim are extortionate prices of essential medical equipment, but all they got from politicians were vague promises to look into it.

The group says most diabetics cannot afford the new prices of blood-sugar meters and test strips.

Every three years the government invites tenders for test strips. Under the contract concluded with the government, the selected bidder is also obliged to import the blood-sugar meters as well, as the two components must be compatible. However, the devices per se are not part of the tender.

Under the last tender, awarded two months ago, the supplier – a Limassol-based merchant – is charging €29.75 per meter. That’s a substantial increase from before, when the devices went for €25.

But the diabetics’ main gripe has to do with the price of the disposable strips, which they’re calling a rip-off. Sold in packets of 50, the strips are now going for €22, compared to €17 previously.

Diabetics procure the strips for €22 from authorised resellers (essentially their association), but they cost €42 in pharmacies.

The average type-1 diabetic needs to tests his or her blood sugar three to five times a day. A 50-strip pack will last 10 days at most, if that.

Whereas people can obtain strips from state hospitals for a token price, due to quotas on the quantities dispensed most diabetics run out quickly and have to buy the rest in the private sector.

Theodosis Isaac, head of the Larnaca branch of the diabetics association, told the Mail that perhaps as many as 70 per cent of registered diabetics are not entitled to the low-price strips at state hospitals.

And diabetics were infuriated on discovering that the merchant is selling the strips to the government (state hospitals) for just €1.90 – compared to €22 to the private sector.

The tender for the test strips goes to the lowest bidder. Some of the more cynical folks protesting yesterday suspect a stitch-up between authorities and suppliers. The latter can get away with marking up their prices because they’ve cornered the market.

“Once the merchant has got the tender, he’ll make up for the low price that he sells to the government by marking up the price sold to the private sector. It’s just exploitation,” said Miranda Theodorou, a lifelong diabetic.

A cursory research on the Internet also shows that blood-sugar meters go for anywhere from €15 to €20.

What’s more, after contacting the device’s manufacturer in Taiwan, association members have discovered that the wholesale price tag is just $8 (about €6).

The Cypriot merchant is the exclusive importer of the blood-sugar meter; and the test strips only work with this specific brand and type of device.

The Pancyprian Diabetic Association have had a standing arrangement with the designated supplier of the test strips, from whom they’d procure the devices and distribute them to their members.

According to the association’s Theodosis Isaac, they’ve tried to get the current merchant to water his wine and lower his prices, but to no avail.

“He even threatened to stop supplying our association by breaking off and setting up his own so-called association for diabetics.”

Following the picket demo, representatives of the association met with House Speaker Yiannakis Omirou, who pledged to find a solution soon.

On these test strips, the amount I was given yesterday would not last for more than sixteen days (50 test strips x 3 checks a day) so I assume you would have to buy more before your next General hospital appointment, no doubting the Chemist will not sell them to us diabetics for 1.20eurs a box.? even after spending another €29.75 on a new test machine...what is going on?

Jim
This morning I called in my usual pharmacy (next to the BoC in Geroskipou) The Cameo machines are 41 euro there. I assume they will be the same in all the pharmacies. There are diabetic centres where you can buy them for less - about 22 euros I think. I am not sure where the centres are until I ask one of my Cypriot friends, unless someone on here has the information. I bought a machine, I am lucky that I have the means to do this, a lot of people will struggle to find 22 euro never mind 41euro. I always need to buy extra tabs as 50 is never enough!

Sue

I'm not diabetic, but can see how people may be held to ransom by the government changing machines and testing strips every three years. It occurred to me that machine users may be better off buying their own machine.

There are many available at modest cost from Amazon: http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/275-7721334-7095802?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=blood+testing+machine. Or are you required to use the government's nominated supplier and testing strips?

Happy in Cyprus wrote:There are many available at modest cost from Amazon: Or are you required to use the government's nominated supplier and testing strips?

Different machines use different test strips and the one the hospital supplies strips for isn't available from Amazon. This means that you would have to pay full price for the testing strips which far outweighs the cost of buying a cheaper machine.

Wife has since found the cost of these new test machines, it is over 40euros, I guess you could buy On Call testing strips via the internet, and stay with the On Call test machine, but honestly this is putting a serious health problem for some here, and not just us but all Diabetics on Cyprus. A crazy situation, and why? testing is supposed to be preventative and help reduced medical cost's and treatment, there are some short sighted staff in the Cyprus Medical system.

A miffed Jim!


The new equipment now needed.

Mine has given up and died, new battery did not do the trick, anyone got one for sale they do not use please..'