Blood Glucose Test Meters and Test Strips – Formulary update
Key messages
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The NHSGGC Adult Blood Glucose and Combined Ketone Meter and Test Strip Formulary has been updated
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The Preferred List Formulary blood glucose meters for adult patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, not on an insulin pump, are now: Contour Plus Blue and Glucofix Tech
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The associated test strips for these meters are: Contour Plus Test Strips and Glucofix Tech Sensor
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There is no change to the Formulary combined blood glucose meters for those with type 1 diabetes - Glucomen Areo 2K and CareSens Dual. Glucomen Areo Sensor & CareSens Pro test strips remain on Formulary for those who require combined blood glucose and ketone testing
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The PalmDoc2 blood glucose meter and test strips are on the Total Formulary, as a second line option for those who are visually impaired
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Prescribing support teams within Primary Care will support a switch programme to the Formulary blood glucose meters (for all patients currently using a blood glucose meter) throughout 2023
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The switch programme will include: patient education; assessment of the appropriateness of continuing to perform blood glucose monitoring (for those with type 2 diabetes); efforts to minimise wastage when switching blood glucose meter; monitoring of cost efficiencies associated with changing to the Formulary meters and test strips
Background
The NHSGGC Adult Blood Glucose Formulary has been reviewed.
The update to the Formulary takes account of technology developments. The new Formulary meters have Bluetooth/Near Field connectivity technology that link with specific apps that users can download to monitor trends in blood glucose results. The meters also link with DIASEND, the technology that facilitates the monitoring of trends in blood glucose and enables data sharing with diabetes specialists.
Not all patients with type 2 diabetes are required to perform blood glucose monitoring. The NHSGGC Diabetes; self-monitoring of diabetes guideline provides advice on when monitoring is appropriate.
Published: 06/01/2023. Medicines Update blogs are correct at the time of publishing