Transitioning to a national (New Zealand) sole supply scheme for glucose meters: lessons learned, problems yet to be solved.

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.