Availability of FreeStyle sensors – update: 31st July
Abbott, the manufacturers of the FreeStyle Libre, has announced it will increase the number of FreeSyle Libre sensors people can buy at one time from two to three at a time.
Customers will be limited to ordering once every 25 days and free postage will continue. This only affects people who buy the sensors privately and does not affect those who have the system prescribed on the NHS.
In addition, people who have been on the waiting list to buy the FreeStyle Libre since April 1st will be able to purchase the system in the “coming days” and they will receive an email invitation to purchase the system.
FreeStyle Libre, IDDT issues press release
July 26th 2018
Low numbers prescribed “game-changing” diabetes technology
Results from Freedom of Information requests carried out by the InDependent Diabetes Trust (IDDT) show just 30 out of the 144 CCGs who responded have prescribed the system to just 174 people. In response to a question on which criteria decisions about prescribing the FreeStyle Libre system are made, 23 CCGs failed to provide any data.
These figures are at odds with stats provided by Diabetes UK which show 9,690 across Britain have been prescribed the technology since November, which is still a low proportion representing less than 2 per cent of the 500,000 eligible people.
To read the full press release click here
As a result of our press release, on July 26th the Daily Express made the FreeStyle libre postcode lottery a front-page story with the heading NHS DIABETES SCANDAL: 490,000 sufferers denied life-saving glucose monitor PM uses.
This can be found online: https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/994343/nhs-postcode-lottery-denies-diabetes-patch-theresa-may-flash-glucose-monitor
Previous updates on this story appear below
We have had reports from people trying to purchase the FreeStyle Libre and the sensors from the manufacturers, Abbott Laboratories that there is a delay in supply. It appears that there is a 3-week delay in supply and a restriction of 2 sensors per order. This is said to be due to high demand, so hopefully it will be a temporary situation.
Update: 5th April
FreeStyle Libre not available to new customers
Abbott, the manufacturer of the FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring system has announced that they are not taking online orders from new customers until July 2018, due to unexpected demand. Therefore, people wishing to order the FreeStyle Libre for the first time will have to wait until July.
Abbott has also said that existing customers will be limited to ordering two sensors every 25 days. One sensor lasts 2 weeks.
Limiting the number of sensors does not apply to people who are obtaining the FreeStyle Libre free on an NHS prescription.