CYPRUS: Diabetes patients to receive glucose meters and strips for free

For the first time in Cyprus, some 32,000 diabetes patients will be given blood glucose meters and diabetic test strips for free, after a decision taken by the Health Ministry.

Patients who were previously buying the sets at EUR 25 from private pharmacies and the Diabetic Association, will now be able to obtain them from pharmacies at state hospitals.

Sufferers will need to present a prescription from a doctor specialising in Diabetology, Endocrinology, Special Pathology or General Medicine. Each patient will be entitled to just one glucose meter, while test strips provided are to cover two-month period each time.

Pharmacists at public health centres will have the responsibly to check patients’ health booklet in order to make sure that the patient has exhausted his supply of test strips.

Patients can pick up their glucose meters and diabetic test strips at the pharmacies of the following public health centres:

1.       Archbishop Makarios Hospital in Nicosia as of 4 October

2.       Paphos General Hospital as of 5 October

3.       New Larnaca General Hospital as of 8 October

4.       New Limassol General Hospital as 9 October

5.       Nicosia General Hospital as of 10 October

6.       Famagusta Hospital as of 13 October

7.       Patient will be able to find supplies at District Health Centres after two months