A new report by Diabetes UK has revealed that people with diabetes are unable to monitor their blood glucose levels because test strips are being rationed in a bid to reduce costs.
According to the report, 39% of people with diabetes were refused a prescription for blood glucose test strips or had their prescription circumscribed. Shockingly, 58% of people who experienced a restriction were diagnosed with, or caring for, someone with type 1 diabetes, whereas 42% were diagnosed with, or were caring for, someone with type 2 diabetes. Almost one quarter of these individuals were informed by their GP that limitations in test strip provision were the result of restrictive policies governed by local health managers. In support of this, further analysis by Diabetes UK unveiled great geographical variation in the prescription guidance for test strips between areas.
Such restrictions particularly affect people receiving glucose-lowering medications such as insulin, who must adjust their treatment according to their blood glucose level. High glucose levels increase the risk of developing short-term complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be fatal. People with continuously high blood glucose levels are also at a greater risk of more serious complications including stroke, blindness or amputation.
Glucose testing and medication adjustment are essential for daily life activities including eating and exercising. Moreover, the DVLA require all individuals treated with insulin to test their blood glucose levels before driving. Therefore, Diabetes UK is calling for the removal of restrictive policies on blood glucose test strips and is campaigning for the case-by-case assessment on test strip provision through a process of joint decision-making between healthcare professionals and individuals with diabetes.
Barbara Young, Diabetes UK Chief Executive, said: “Test strips are the most basic of tools for managing Type 1 diabetes and insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes so it is very worrying that so many people are telling us they are having their test strips rationed because of cost saving measures.
“When people with Type 1 or insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes have their test strips restricted or denied it has a huge impact on their life. Our survey showed a lack of test strips was stopping them driving, exercising or knowing how much insulin to take when they are eating or whether they are experiencing a ‘hypo’ which needs to be treated immediately. This is causing distress and anxiety and is making it hard for people with Type 1 diabetes and insulin-treated Type 2 diabetes to manage the condition. Also, rationing test strips to save money does not make any sense, because it is putting people at increased risk of complications that are hugely expensive to treat. Diabetes costs the NHS around 10 billion annually and 80 per cent of this spend goes on treating complications.
“We now want to see GPs and healthcare professionals take heed of our report and ensure decisions about blood glucose monitoring and access to test strips are made on a case-by-case basis and in consultation with the person with diabetes and their health care professional.”
