Coaguchek Test strips

[Paul_M]

Hi all,

I'm waiting for a 4th CV and a second ablation and am tested weekly for INRs. I've lived with AF for ten years and bought a Coaguchek tester a few years ago as I had to go to Thailand for a wedding. At other time when I've been away I've self tested too. But this has become too costly as I only ever need 4 or 5 strips and they come in packs of 24. And these packs come in at over £100 and with a shelf life of a few months it just isn't viable..

Has anyone here found any solutions to this expensive problem?

Thanks

Paul

[Pattiann08]

Mine were available on prescription from GP

[Paul_M in reply to Pattiann08]

Mine are too.... but only in large quantities... which again is such a waste!

[Hidden]

Just thinking out loud about the maths here. You say you are tested weekly yet further on you say you only need 4 or 5 strips. If you are tested weekly on a Coaguchek then that's 52 strips a year. My packet says they are good for 12 months.

[Paul_M in reply to Hidden]

I'm tested in the surgery. I only need the strips whilst away. And the NHS treats the strips like they treat drugs... once a prescription is drawn by the patient it can't go back and be used by others.

[Hidden in reply to Paul_M]

Aaaaah I see ! When I retired to Cornwall I had issues on INR testing with the first surgery I registered with. They were so obstructive about Coaguchek and self testing and insisted in taking my INR by venous draw that in the end I did a check around other local practices who used Coaguchek, found one who would take me on and then gave the first one the sack and switched over to the more modern, progressive practice. Never looked backed. I get a pack of 24 on prescription and it lasts me 12 months and I ensure I use each strip, my INR is mostly stable, however if I get a bit fussy with my greens intake my INR wanders a bit and I just use more test strips as I test a bit more frequently regardless of what my next 'official' test date is.

[ILowe in reply to Paul_M]

Perhaps it is time to pressure the manufacturer to issue them in smaller packs. I notice that for glucose testing, some versions are sold in smaller packs. I see that their marketing does vary with the country. Hence they might be open to that. Please do write to them, and tell us their reply. Perhaps then you can do a simple poll on this forum, then use that information to put more pressure on them. A six pack would be nice, like they supply when you first buy a meter, so they already have that format in their system.

[irene75359]

My surgery doesn't give prescriptions for testing strips as they run a testing clinic. However, I travel frequently and Coaguchek Uk sells a pack of 24 strips for £69.90; I am a diagnosed AF patient so I just tick the relevant box and I don't pay VAT. On Amazon, the cost ranges from an eyewatering £103 - £116, even the small pack of six costs £50.

[Dodie117]

I got mine on prescription and then only went for NHS checks every 3 months. This meant less of mine and NHS staff time wasted. I now use apixaban so only kidney function tests every 6 months.