Free Coaguchek Test Strips in UK

[ajay_22_86]

So I'm new to the whole Warfarin business as I had my surgery 4 weeks ago. I went to my local Warfarin clinic today and had an interesting discussion with the nurse. Apparantly some GPs in the UK receive test strips free (I can't be sure if this is for all GPs). This obviously only applies to clinics that use the Coaguchek Machines!

Now if you were to get the test strips on prescription, it would cost the standard £7 for us, but apparantly they are very expensive for the GP. So it actually works out cheaper for them if they give us some of their free test strips! So my Warfarin Clinic is happy to give a new box of 24 strips for free as it works out cheaper for them that way because it doesn't eat up their prescriptions budget!

So...for those in the UK...have a word with your GP and see what their view is on the subject (if it is free for them) and you might be able to haggle free test strips! And for me it's not a one off, they're happy to keep giving them for free! Woo!

 

[netmiff]

can I give you my snail-mail address? even at 7 pounds a box, that is cheap! you have lucked out!

 

[Freddie]

After doing the conversion Jeanette, that's $12.98 CDN for a box of 24.
Is that considered cheap? uhmmmm on second thought maybe it is.

 

[Bina]

A box of 24 strips is $182 in Canada and lasts me for one year.
My husband's insurance pays 80% and I end up having to pay $36.

 

[netmiff]

having no insurance, it is 100% out of pocket for me, approx. $50 for 6

 

[Freddie]

A box of 24 strips is $182 in Canada and lasts me for one year.
My husband's insurance pays 80% and I end up having to pay $36.

I'm hoping I'll be in the same boat Bina.

 

[ajay_22_86]

Wow, those are pretty expensive prices! Guess I shouldn't be complaining for the system in the UK. We pay £7 for any prescription, no matter what the drug or item is, or how many there are. I got 200 1mg Warfarin tablets and 200 5mg Warfarin tablets for £7 =/ Should last for quite a while!

 

[sue943]

Wow, those are pretty expensive prices! Guess I shouldn't be complaining for the system in the UK. We pay £7 for any prescription, no matter what the drug or item is, or how many there are. I got 200 1mg Warfarin tablets and 200 5mg Warfarin tablets for £7 =/ Should last for quite a while!

I can better the NHS charges , in Jersey all prescription drugs are free. Unfortunately test strips wouldn't be free as the hospital has a warfarin clinic and that is free. When I asked the clinic about having a machine they said there was no problem EXCEPT that I would need to buy my own strips, well perhaps not then! I just checked the BNF and there are no test strips listed that I can see but perhaps they are like elastic stockings, can be prescribed in the UK but obviously not listed in the BNF as they are not drugs.

The BNF is the British National Formulary which is used by the medical profession in the UK and lists all the drugs, dosage and their prices plus lots more information. My copy is March 2006 and at that time warfarin ranged from £1 to £1.53 for 28 depending on strength so by that reckoning 400 ought to cost more than £14 so at £7 it is good value. Obviously some drugs are cheaper than £7 so they wouldn't be a bargain so it is swings and roundabouts.