| Glucose testing is a vital part of an effective blood | | | | but that price is still somewhat steep. |
| sugar management program for people afflicted with | | | | One method that has proven to lower the cost of my |
| diabetes. Having access to cost effective test strips is | | | | own blood sugar testing supplies is to buy them online |
| an absolute must but even though blood sugar testing | | | | on EBay. For one reason or another, people are ending |
| devices have been around for over 20 years, the cost | | | | up with a surplus of glucose test strips and they're |
| of testing strips has not declined very much, if at all. | | | | auctioning them off on the world's largest garage sale. |
| Why is this so? | | | | Typically, test strips go for at least 50 percent less |
| By eliminating competitors, four medical companies | | | | than retail which can bring your cost down as low as |
| now dominate about 90 percent of the market which | | | | 25 - 30 cents depending on the brand and model of |
| keeps prices high. These firms are in the game to | | | | blood sugar monitor you use. |
| make money and since the markup on test strips is so | | | | EBay has proven effective for me and many others |
| high (cost of manufacture is typically around 5 cents | | | | but since it's an online auction, I urge you to be cautious |
| each, versus 85 cents to one dollar at retail) it | | | | and do your research on products and buyers before |
| represents a windfall profit opportunity. | | | | committing to anything. Before buying test strips on |
| At the same time, the growing number of diabetics, | | | | EBay there are some things to be wary of in order to |
| identified by increased medical screening, is set to | | | | buy safely. |
| generate greater demand for glucose strips in North | | | | It is possible to buy bargain test strips on EBay and so |
| America which means more people paying inflated | | | | far I've perosnally had good experience. |
| prices. This is fine if a patient has medical insurance but | | | | But unwary buyers could get more than they |
| if that's not the case it can financially over-burden them | | | | bargained for. They could be opening themselves up |
| and make testing a lot harder to justify. They become | | | | to eye damage or unnecessary surgery if they don't |
| torn between the dire need to test and the fiscal need | | | | know how to buy glucose strips safely. There is also |
| to save money. A diabetic needs to test without much | | | | the possibility of ending up with counterfeit strips, so it |
| concern for price. | | | | pays to be informed. |
| How to lower the cost. | | | | So go ahead and buy. But before you do, take a few |
| Clearly, a way to lower the cost of test strips is | | | | minutes and get solid information before you commit |
| desirable. New companies are showing up that have | | | | and make a mistake you might regret. |
| lowered the cost of testing to about 60 cents per strip | | | | |