This might be a dumb question....

[halleyg]

I was at the pharmacy today picking up a prescription, and I noticed the blood glucose testers for sale behind the counter. The most expensive one was $74.95. I had to wonder why they are SO much cheaper than a protime machine...of course, they aren't for sale in the pharmacy, which may be the reason, but last time I tried to get one it was $2,500, and even going through my brother the dr., his price to get one was $700. That's such a huge difference for something that seems to me to be similar, and I was just wondering....why is that? I know the number of protime home testers is much lower than that of diabetic home testers, so less machines made; maybe I am answering my own question! Still had to ask.

 

[Bina]

It's a good question.
Roche diagnostics makes the Coaguchek XS for INR testing, as well as the Accuchek for diabetic testing.
(I bought my CoaguChek through my pharmacist for $500.)
My thought on the price difference is that the INR tester has a much more sophisticated testing process and built in computerized controls where as the AccuChek is a simple process, testing only glucose content in a tiny blood droplet.

 

[Philip B]

Cost?

Cost?

This is undoubtedly something of a rant, but here goes...

I'm convinced that the high cost of INR monitors is related to that simple element we refer to as profit. How can it be anything else? The supplier I purchased my INratio monitor from told me they would charge $2,500.00 if my insurance company was paying for it, but would only charge me $1,200.00 if I was paying for it myself.

We could get into the issue of why testing supplies cost so much, but that's a different rant.

-Philip

 

[Eva]

..........
My thought on the price difference is that the INR tester has a much more sophisticated testing process and built in computerized controls where as the AccuChek is a simple process, testing only glucose content in a tiny blood droplet.

Yup, as Bina said, these machines are much more sophisticated. Mind you, the first diabetes testers were expensive...in 1969 cost $650.

 

[COLLEEN S]

Not a dumb question at all! I agree with all those who posted. It IS because of the onboard controls AND because of the insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies, and the lobbyists, etc. etc.

 

[terodac]

I thought the same thing, I bought my CoaguChek XS for $700 also, they wanted $2500 in the USA. The supplies are not cheap either, but it is worth it's weight in gold to me. I ordered the chart and can adjust my meds myself, the NP was trying to kill me at my heart doctors office. She did not know jack about what she was doing had me on a roller coaster ride with my INR. Between this board and my machine, it is wonderful! It was well worth the $$ I spent on it!

 

[lance]

Maybe with time .............

Maybe with time .............

and increased use (volume sales) the cost of POC INR monitors will drop. It must have cost millions to develop the ones on the market now. Maybe when a Generic is available and the costs amortized we'll be as well off financially as home glucose testers.
The shocking part is the price comparison between the US and Canada.

 

[COLLEEN S]

This is why we need HEALTH CARE REFORM!!! AND A PUBLIC OPTION!!! ITs JUST AN OPTION PEOPLE!!!

 

[Smedders]

Partly the fact that they're more sophisticated machines but also the fact that they've not been making them for that long, and there aren't that many users so they don't have the massive economies of scale that they get from the diabetes machines.

It's not as if the pharma companies aren't making any profit from the diabetes machines.

 

[lance]

POC Monitors .....................

POC Monitors .....................

aren't being advertised. I can't recall seeing ads. Has anyone else?

It's hard to understand why they're being kept secret.

Now if every valve manufacturer put so much research into their up and coming modifications we'd all be better off.

 

[westie]

poc monitors??

poc monitors??

.
er, what is a "poc" monitor?

 

[Bina]

.
er, what is a "poc" monitor?

Point of Care monitor..... for at home or clinic use. (not lab testing).