What Are “Self-Destructing” Blood Glucose Meters?
One new trick of blood glucose monitor manufacturers that I find particularly disgusting is also patterned on marketing methods that began in the computer printer industry. This is the “self-destructing” blood glucose meter. Many diabetics fail to use all of their blood glucose test strips within the expiration date printed on the bottle. It’s not at all uncommon for diabetics to forget to test themselves, when they are supposed be doing it three times a day. This irks the manufacturers of meters, since it means that diabetics will buy their expensive test strips less often. The solution? Now, when you place a test strip in a blood glucose monitor that is beyond the expiration date, the meter will suddenly “die”. Permanently. Since the units are not repairable, you will not only need to buy a whole new batch of test strips, but get a new meter as well. What irks me most about this is the fact that most diabetes patients will be unable to test their blood sugar levels for at least sever
