The FreeStyle Flash and FreeStyle Blood Glucose Meters were also recalled Feb 19th, 2014. The letter is in the Abbott Press Room and is a link off of the FDA Safety Recall. They WILL send you a new FreeStyle branded meter per the press release. We probably were not notified because we received the meter from our doctor and did not actually purchase or register it with Abbott.
We also do not have the Freedom meter which uses the "lite" test strips. I do not want to have to keep different "lite" strips for a backup meter that will most likely expire and never be used unless we do lose the PDM.
The press release also gives instructions for using the control solution to check the performance of the meter if you must use the meters and have no other options for checking your blood glucose. It notes that you should pay special attention to signs & symptoms that may not match the readings.
The FDA says that, which is probably why Abbott isn't that much trouble. But I do find it very interesting that with a control solution that is 95 (Figured that out since the range is 76-114, and 95 is exactly in the middle with a 20% lower being 76 and 20% higher being 114) that the strips were VERY close (within 5 points) of 95 when we used the right code with the right strips on many many vials of strips.
There is a freedom and a freedom lite. We have the freedom lite, but not the freedom. Think I'll try to get one when I don't have to wait forever on hold.
Two hours on hold with Abbott, had 950 recalled test strips. Was promised a shipment of 1000 but would have to be contacted by someone from Abbott. I balked at the initial 400 offer. Rep told me two lot numbers were good, #1376759 and #1371931. All others with expiration dates prior to 8/2015 no good.
What ever happened to Insulet making a PDM that would use One Touch strips? My Ins. plan no longer covers any Freestyle products.
Have you appealed with your insurance company? Ours doesn't cover Freestyle either but it does for us since we explained that it's the only strip compatible for my son's meter - we got an exception.
Like Natasha said, it probably would be possible to appeal. My insurance didn't list Freestyle on the formulary, either, but they had a "pre-authorization form" I could have have my doctor fill out and I had a response back within the week that they were covered. This was HealthPartners insurance.
Everyone gets 400 it doesn't matter how many you have left - heck I told them I have 1100 which I do have but it's not like they can argue with me and it isn't like they want them back since they have been recalled. So tell them you had 700 but will settle for the 400 now and call them in a few months and demand more.
1 hour 20 minutes on hold, total call time 1 hour 40 minutes.
I was told that none of the lots are ok - I have four lot numbers on my current supply but the lady from Abbott only wanted one - however I was also told that if, in the future, I get 1376759 or 1371831 that's fine, otherwise I need 2015/08 expiration or later.
Abbott will, apparently, sort it out with my doctor/Walmart that I get the right ones in the future. Meanwhile they will get 400 to my by 'the day after the next business day'. That's actually the fastest anyone can get anything to me where I live; there's no 'overnight' round here, I'll see if it happens...
I now have: 1. a new Freestyle Lite meter (ONLY uses Freestyle Lite strips 2. a new Freestyle Freedom meter
4. 400 new Freestyle strips
Are these replacement strips now good in the PDM & the Freedom meter?
Should I trash any other old back up meters?
Can you use the recalled strips in the Freedom meter with accurate results?
Thanks so much for your instant reply- I had such a slippery grasp on the situation I was floundering. The back up meters I have I now are the ones that were recalled/made so long ago that no one even remembers them. Thanks again.
I'm nor settling for anything. I've got 950 strips and I better get 950 replacements. The product was recalled, this is an FDA regulated product. Has anyone actually received any replacements yet? I can just smell a class action and believe me I'm sure several attorneys can as well.
