15,000 diabetics sign petition to slash glucostrips price

Mumbai: In a move to curb the price of glucostrips more than 15,000 people have signed an online petition seeking a reduction in the cost of glucostrips across the country.

The petition was started by Dr Pradeep Gadge, a city-based Diabetologist as #PriceCeilingGlucoStrips that aims at making the Glucometer Strips affordable for everyone.

The petition states, “Most of the times, patients end up spending a major chunk of their earnings on diabetes care, which includes doctor’s consultation fees, pathology and radiology tests, medicine costs, cost of glucometers and glucometer strips. Their maximum spending is on medicines and other needed accessories.”

Dr Pradeep Gadge said, “"The cost of healthcare is drastically increasing. The manufacturing cost of a glucostrip is 50 paise but the patient is charged Rs 25 to Rs 30. Those who need to keep a check on their blood glucose levels more than once a day will have to shell more than Rs 150 which may not be feasible for all."

Medical experts say diabetic patients are advised to monitor their blood sugar levels at least 8 times a day. In such cases, a patient would spend between Rs 160 and Rs 320 on glucometers.

According to the organizers of the initiative, after getting a considerable number of signatures, the problem will be noticed by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority and the Health Ministry and the petition will be submitted to them.

Dr. Gadge’s petition has so far received 16,687 signatures.

"If one keeps in mind the prevalence of diabetes in the country, the need of the hour is price ceiling of glucostrips. This will help make it affordable for all," said Gadge.