How many test strips are you allowed?
We’ve had a few queries from readers about the number of test strips they’re allowed to get on prescription. The numbers are determined by Pharmac and it really depends on how your diabetes is being treated.
To save any confusion about what’s allowed, here’s what you need to know.
- If you’re on insulin or sulphonylurea tablets (see below) your doctor can prescribe as many test strips as you need. The same applies if you are pregnant.
So that the pharmacy knows you’re entitled to as many strips as your doctor has prescribed, it’s best if your doctor puts the strips on the same prescription as your insulin or tablet. If the strips are on a separate prescription, your doctor will need to write on the prescription that you are using insulin or sulphonylurea so that the pharmacy knows you are eligible.
- If you’re not on insulin or sulphonylurea tablets, your doctor can prescribe a maximum of 50 test strips per prescription. It’s up to your doctor how often your strips are prescribed. But there’s a maximum of 50 on each prescription.
The limit of 50 strips for some people does mean you’ve got to think about when you test. You’ve got to make your tests count. That’s in keeping with the Pharmac recommendations. They say self-monitoring of blood glucose levels ‘should help you with decisions relating to treatment’. In other words, don’t test your blood glucose just for the sake of it.
Test to learn about what’s going on with your blood glucose. Use testing to understand how your blood glucose levels are affected by what you’re eating. And how exercise affects your levels. You can then make changes to your eating and exercise based on that information.
The whole point, of course, is to keep your blood glucose levels – and your HbA1C - as close to normal as possible. And, if you’re on insulin or sulphonylurea tablets, you also need to test frequently to make sure you’re taking the right amount of medication to avoid the risk of a hypo.
With every test you take, the point is to get information and act on it.
As Pharmac says, “There is no obvious benefit in frequent, long term self-monitoring that does not result in a change of treatment or behaviour or consolidate existing good practice”. We quite agree.
And, to make sure you get the most out of every single test strip:
- Always keep all your strips in the original container.
- Check the lid is closed properly when you've finished testing.
- Check the expiry date. Get a new prescription immediately if the date has expired.
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Sulphonylurea tablets
These tablets work by making the pancreas produce more insulin. There are several tablets in the sulphonylurea group. They include:
- Gliclazide also known as Diamicron, Glizon or Apo-Gliclazide
- Glipizide also known as Glipid or Minidiab
- Glibenclamide also known as Gliben or Apo-Glibenclamide
- Tolbutamide also known as Diatol.