Mail order medications

March 28, 2010 4:06 PM

Mail order medical supplies [diabetic testing strips] from overseas, has anyone found a reliable resource? I would prefer Accu-Chek Aviva system. At a $1 a strip I could use some help.
posted by 77144 to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

77144, it would really help if you tell us where you live. Surprisingly or not, some countries have the exact same test strips that you would find in North America or Europe. I know you can safely buy local products for a reasonable price in South America, for example.
posted by msali at 4:34 PM on March 28, 2010

There are US-based mail order outfits that will get you the strips for 60 cents each for a box of 50 (about the same price I saw when googling canadian sites). Not as ideal as I get with my insurance (100 for $4... I'm an OneTouch Ultra man myself) but better than $1+ each. Since test strips don't require a prescription, they may be easier to import (but still regulated by the FDA so it may actually be a no-no to import), but some of the cost savings you'd see are eaten up by international postage charges and the company's profit motive.
posted by birdherder at 7:01 PM on March 28, 2010

msali: Right, I'm inquiring from California. And do you have any e-address of companies that do international business? Thanks
posted by 77144 at 9:48 PM on March 28, 2010

Try Amazon.
posted by Halloween Jack at 8:59 AM on March 29, 2010

77144, I am sorry, I misunderstood your question. I THOUGHT you were living overseas. I checked with a supplier that I know in southern South America, and the price it would take to ship to you would make it financially unfeasible (albeit legal). I would go with Halloween Jack's suggestion. 100 Aviva strips there seem to run about 52 dollars plus shipping, nearly halving your cost. Again, I am really sorry I misunderstood your question.
posted by msali at 10:42 AM on March 29, 2010

I've heard that Amazon orders often arrive with box stickers already opened, or strips very close to expiration. The Diabetes Mall has been recommended to me, although I haven't placed an order yet. (They sell strips in Medicare/Medicaid labeling, not consumer drugstore boxes.)

I am newly diagnosed and have finally begun to understand why there are so many ads for low-cost diabetes supplies. Sheesh, strips are expensive (like birdherder, I'm a OneTouch Ultra girl).
posted by catlet at 1:04 PM on March 29, 2010