title: Transitioning to a national (New Zealand) sole supply scheme for glucose meters: lessons learned, problems yet to be solved.
abstract: This case study describes the clinical impact of moving to a single brand of glucose test strips. In 2013 the New Zealand public health system completed a move to procure test strips at a significant discount. The associated direct savings is estimated at around 40% of the total glucose strip budget. Half the local diabetes population undertake glucose monitoring using government-funded diabetes supplies. These patients no longer have a choice of brand of meters and strips. Although the majority of patients adapted well to this change, a small percentage did not. Also, some consumers expressed concerns about analytical performance of the new strips, when used in everyday life. A pragmatic postmarketing surveillance system, designed with consumer input, may help address these residual concerns.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Centre, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand helen.lunt@cdhb.health.nz.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lunt
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Centre, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand Canterbury Health Laboratories, Christchurch Hospital, Christchurch, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Christopher M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Florkowski
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis* / Q000187:drug effects; D015190:Blood Glucose Self-Monitoring / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002755:Choice Behavior; D017046:Cost Savings; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics; D019719:Diagnostic Equipment / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009520:New Zealand; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011934:Reagent Strips / Q000191:economics / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D011934:Reagent Strips
keywords: diabetes self management; glucose monitoring; health economics; health technology assessment; organizational case studies