(I’m now up to update number 5 on this post … and off to see my member of parliament – this is despicable!)
Final Update! see final post… and come visit me in hospital if that’s what it comes to…
Over the 365 days I will be out of Australia, I require:
- Blood glucose testing strips x 1,850= 37 containers
- Tubing and insertion devices for pump x 124 = 13 boxes (x2)
- Insulin @ ~40 units/day = 14600/yr = 146 1ml bottles = ~30 boxes
- Additional ‘spare’ supplies (pens & needles) for any malfunctions
and then of course there is all the other medication I have to take daily (currently 5 different tablets) x 365. Aside from the fact that all of this is pretty damned expensive, it is very difficult to get ‘permission’ to get subsidised medication and supplies to take out of the country in such large quantities. (Strangely enough, I have never had problems with customs in any country I’ve been to – often my hand luggage is actually a cool pack full of medication!)
NDSS – After have no success or helpful information from any source, I sent the following message to NDSS (all diabetes ‘comsumables’ are subsidised and need to be ordered through them) :
I am volunteering overseas for 12 months in Laos and require 12 months worth of supplies (pump and blood testing strips) to take with me. However, both the pharmacy and the phone line have informed me that I cannot take more than 6 months worth. This is a huge problem for me. I thought that I could get a letter from my doctor to enable me to get extra supplies but nobody can tell me if this is correct. My sister (also a diabetic) is visiting in 6 months time, but apparently she cannot request supplies for me, or on my behalf. Financially, this is also very difficult to pay the subsidised cost in full, but clearly necessary to maintain my health.
Could you please tell me what my options might be?
Thank you, Annabelle Leve
Looking more closely at their website I see that :
The NDSS gives you access to a large range of subsidised products that help you to affordably self-manage your diabetes. …
There are limits to the nuliving withmber of products you may purchase on the NDSS. These limits are:
- 900 strips …
- 90 cannulae and/or
- 90 reservoirs/cartridges
per 180 day period. …
Access to the NDSS is only available while you’re living in Australia.
If you’re travelling or living overseas, the NDSS is not permitted to send products to you. Before travelling, please review your product requirements. You can buy up to 6 months’ worth of products to take with you, but is also advisable to have a letter from your doctor to ensure you get through customs.
There is also an additional page with some useful information for travelling – but not for 12 month trips obviously!
OK … I’ll be patient – no response yet, to either phone call or emailed message. I’m still WAITING!!! I’m getting CONCERNED!!! I need to get this SORTED!!!
As for the prescribed medication, I’ve been told different things (again) by pharmacist and doctor about “Regulation 24″ which apparently entitles me to 6 months worth – pharmacist advises me to get doctor to write TWO regulation 24 scripts – doctor unaware of such a thing … still on hold for next appointment.
Oh, did find out that the 2 prescriptions should NOT be dated the same day – the next day is fine, just not the same day (der??) – advice from Pharmacist, but she wasn’t sure either…
UPDATE (12 days later)
Aside from having my arms jabbed at least 12 times over the previous month, and collecting a bag of 12months of malaria prophylaxis, I am in fact none the wiser about how to get my 12 months worth of everything else. I’ve asked more people, but nobody seems to know! The doctors don’t know, NDSS won’t respond except for a big NO, where to next???? Can anyone help /advise me here? I have two more appointments, one with Diabetes Clinic (and no, the diabetes educator doesn’t know either) and one with my GP, over the next two weeks or so – hopefully it will get sorted!
Perhaps, on either the 31st August, or six months later, I’ll just have to say oh, sorry, I’ve got to go home now because I’ve run out of my life-saving medications.
UPDATE 2 (29th July – one month pre-departure)
Finally got through on the phone line and was once again told only 6 months worth… Yes, I know that, so what options do I have? Well she says, all I know is that you can only have 6 months … ah, yes, so what happens when I run out? Well to give her credit, Angela went away to find out, and came back to tell me I could get 20% extra. Hmmm, ok … and then? Apparently when most people go overseas they find out about supplies available in-country, I somehow don’t think there would be many diabetics in Laos on insulin pump therapy – maybe I’m wrong but …
So now I have an email address and contact name to write to with my request. Clearly my other email got lost somewhere along the line. Again, wish me luck?
Email sent 29/7/16:
Att: Geeta
- CONTOUR NEXT – Blood glucose testing strips x 5/day= 1,850= 19 boxes (x100/box)
- MiniMed Sure-T Paradigm 60cm, 8mm: 10per box: 1 every 3 days = total 122 = 13 boxes
- Medtronic Reservoir Paradigm 10per box: 1 every 3 days = total 122 = 13 boxes
Some additional information in support of this request:
Annabelle Leve is a volunteer who will be travelling overseas as part of the XXX program managed by XXX.
The XXX Program aims to strengthen the mutual understanding between Australia and countries in Asia and the Pacific, as well as make a positive contribution to development as part of the XXX program.
I would appreciate your consideration of this request, being mindful of my departure date on 31 August.
Thank you and regards, Annabelle
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16:19 (2 hours ago) | ||
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Hi Annabelle,
With regards to your request of products for 12 months;
The Commonwealth limits are a maximum 6 month supply, this equivalent to PBS regulation 24, which allows a script and 5 repeats as a maximum supply. There is NO provision under Commonwealth guidance for supply greater than 6 months for any registrant, regardless of circumstance
Any further enquiries need to be directed to Diabetes Australia on ndss@diabetesaustralia.com.au
Kind regards,
Geeta
Primary Care Engagement Officer
Diabetes Victoria
570 Elizabeth Street
Melbourne Vic 3000
Mobile: 0477 102 099
Fax: (03) 9667 1779
gsrinivasan@diabetesvic.org.au
Update 3 (5 August)
I have sent an email explaining my situation to the company that supplies the product, Medtronic Australasia – they responded on 1st August as follows:
Thank you for your email. It has been forwarded onto the Diabetes department and a representative will be in contact with you.
No news yet.
Tried making a complaint to the Commonwealth Ombudsman – they suggested diabetes Australia, NDSS, or maybe the health department? Nicole said she would call back … but no.
Just wrote and sent the following email to Diabetes Australia:
Update 4 (8 August)
Good Morning Annabelle
Thank you for your email. Diabetes Australia administers the NDSS on behalf of the Australian Government. This includes oversight of product supply and implementation of limitations that apply to the provision of NDSS products as a Commonwealth program.
As you have outlined below, you will be leaving Australia for a period of 12 months from the close of August and will be required to exit Australian territories with the medications and consumables to manage your diabetes.
All Australian citizens are able to exit Australian territories with a maximum of 6 months’ supply of medication or consumables as provided by a Commonwealth program, such as the NDSS or Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Once you leave Australian territories, you are unable to access the NDSS or PBS whilst overseas. The only exception that would apply is if you were overseas as an employee of the Commonwealth, where product can be delivered to a consul or commission.
In your circumstance you are able to exit Australia with the maximum 6 month supply of NDSS items as outlined by the Australian Government.
There is no provision or allowance for a greater supply of NDSS items. This will equate to the following maximums:
- Blood Glucose Test strips – 900 strips (9 x 100 pack)
- Insulin Pump Infusion Sets – 9 boxes (90 units)
- Reservoirs – 9 boxes (90 units)
If you have any further questions, please contact myself or my team directly.
Regards
Darren
Update 5 (10 August)
Well, it’s about time this saga came to a close! I had a most informative talk today with Dr Bob Cass, my sending organisation’s chief medical adviser. Apparently he has been fighting for such cases for years and the government bureaucracy stymies any efforts to make any changes to the system, for any (legitimate) reason. So now I know, that our government will not allow more than 6 months medical supplies to be obtained by any Australian citizen/taxpayer, which has the following potential impacts:
- Anyone with a chronic condition that requires ongoing medical intervention/treatment is effectively prevented from volunteering/working/travelling overseas for more than 6 months at a time;
- Is put in a position where they may cut/alter/change/stop medication because it is either unavailable or unaffordable to obtain;
- Risk their long term health outcomes and potential need for emergency care or evacuation back to Australian Health care providers;
- Break the law by ‘doctor shopping’ and filling prescriptions in different locations;
- Stockpile medications in any way possible;
- …
Next stop, my local Member of Parliament….
Final Update (19 August)
Best advice? Stockpile. Eke it out. Get as much as you can to take with you. Use as much of the insulin as you can get out of the vial. With the pump, extend to 4 days per change if possible. Other meds – maybe I can halve my dose to last double the time. Maybe I can buy some things in Thailand. Maybe I can get any visitors to bring some supplies with them. Or hey, self fund a return trip to pick up my next entitlement in 6 months time – an expensive and really quite unnecessary option.
But overall, none of this is ideal. I am forced to play with my health in order to ‘serve the country’, as per Australia’s overseas aid contribution, for 12 months overseas because our health system will not allow for any reason to obtain more than 6 month’s supply of medication (or pump supplies). In the long run, I suppose Medicare will pick up the bill for any long term health consequences. Doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me.
abelspace 