Roche CoaguChek conspiracy?

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LUVMyBirman

LUVMyBirman

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 16, 2001
Messages
3,340
Location
Chicago, IL
After further reflection on the recent test strip recall. I am really starting to wonder if Roche may be trying to phase the older units out in order to bring the newer units forward???

Please correct me if I am wrong:

Roche has already announced they will market and release a new unit for home testers in the US.

At that....why would Roche be covering the doctors and clinics with test strips during the recall....leaving the home testers hanging? There is no difference in supplies. Why can't we have our supplies? Pretty ridiculous. If my theory has any substance...I feel they are putting home testers at risk for their benefit. i.e. they will be able to sell boat loads of new units to the public because current units are useless without supplies. I do feel they corner the market. Sad thing is I would probably be forced in to purchasing a new unit.

I was given info from another member that Roche asked him to stop using his machine. Not only did they want the strip info when calling in. They also wanted the serial number from the machine. Why would this be necessary?Especially since they do not supply the end user. My supplies come from another source. I have had my machine for 7 years. Way out of warranty. And it worked just fine until I was unable to obtain viable supplies.

Maybe someone could shed some light on this!
Thoughts......:confused:
 
I also wondered why the company needed the serial #'s when the problem was a test strip recal, as well wondering why doctors are still able to use the machines?

Maybe Roche feels they are more at risk with the home market people for lawsuits. If Roche has some sort of beneficial agreement with the professional community maybe they feel they are less likely to sue than the private use customers?
 
Could be Karlynn.

If my memory serves me correctly. We use these units @ our own risk. Don't think they could be held liable outside of the warranty period.

Anyone know where I can find the info on the new unit Roche is to be selling to the patient/ end user. And when it may be released? I am really starting to think they want to sell their new units and phase the old ones out. Honeslty...I have been ready for a new and improved model for some time. Just can't wait forever now!
Maybe QAS can help us out here. Lance? Hank...if you see this post before you leave. Maybe you could get the scoop from QAS for us! TY
 
makes me wonder if your insurance company paid for your unit. It's easier to get $ from insurance companies for a new one than you. And I bet the price goes up. Things get phased out for the new and improved and they always cost more.
 
I guess we will see what they send out this coming week. They told me I would be getting a package from FedEx with some forms in it.

Hey Gina,
I sent you a PM.
 
Whatever the case may be...all around hassel. I have tiny tiny veins that collapse when a needle comes within range. The thought of venous draws......!:eek:
 
Hi Dave,

Thank you for sharing all of your info. Did you originally purchase your unit from Roche? I am wondering how much assistance they will be for a unit that is almost 7 years old. Did purchase it from them though. Would you mind sending me your contact person @ Roche?

Thank you!
And...yes, let's hope we can do another reunion soon! Maybe they will swing another Colorado adventure. Really thought that was the best one yet!
 
LUVMyBirman said:
Whatever the case may be...all around hassel. I have tiny tiny veins that collapse when a needle comes within range. The thought of venous draws......!:eek:
Click to expand...

Gina, my hospital lab and my cardio both do fingerstick tests, unless you request the venous draw. Hopefully there's a lab in your area that uses the ProTime or the INRatio, or is still able to use the Coagucheck.
 
Not aware of one Karlynn. Hospital within walking distance. Actually...my cards office is walking distance. Neither one of them have a unit. They all do the venous draws! Bottom line....need to get this home testing ironed out!
 
When I called the 800 number I played the MD card as well as being a patient. What I was able to get from the rep was that ALL strips were recalled and that the supply should be disposed off. There was no date for future availability. All that I could get out of here was that there was some problem with the thromboplastin reagent on the strips, but no info as to why it is so sporadic. I do not understand the rational for a clinic to do tests from two different lots on each patient to determine the correct value, which value is to be taken as valid, only the lower one??. The problem is stated that the spurious values are too high and that patients get the dosage lowered inappropriately. I was to call another 800 on Monday to be placed on the replacement list when available. MORE TO THE POINT. She asserted that there was a public notice but that they were sending letters out next week to all registered owners. She wanted my serial number and confirmed the mailing address.
As far as a conspiracy theory goes, I find that interesting. A company can announce that they will no longer support a device at some time in the future. For instance my checkbook program, Quicken, will not support some prior versions especially as related to Internet banking. Auto manufactures, I believe, are required by law to support replacement parts for at least ten years after the model come out. In the case of Roche, however, even though the devices are expensive, the real profit is made in the supplies. Another example is that Hewlett-Packard sells printers cheaply but screws you on the ink cartridges. To get back to Roche, the new unit is for sale in Europe, but has not been approved here in the USA by the FDA. I wonder how soon it will be cleared. If this were to happen on Monday, then conspiracy sounds right. However, whether insurance companies would buy that is unknown.

Enough of my random thoughts
 
The Coaguchek XS retails in the UK at 399 UKP (about 750 USD). It may be that the XS is not susceptible to the problem that has led to the strip recall on the older S model as it has on-strip controls. This is the link to info:
http://www.coaguchek.com/uk/index.php?target=/en/patients/info_centre/product_brochures

I agree with DrAllan on the ink-jet cartridge analogy - although I'm happy use clone cartridges in my Epson, there's no way I want a refilled test strip for my Coaguchek:eek:
 
I was at a meeting 8 years ago and the DuPont rep introduced me to the man in charge of producing the test strips for Roche. He was a very bright conscientious young fellow and he made it clear that making these strips and getting the thromboplastin just right is not easy and he worried about it. I guess one of his worries finally came to pass.
 
The CoaguChek XS has been approved in the US. Roche is gearing up to introduce it the first part of next year. I was contacted over a month ago about purchasing new models.

A conspiracy does not seem very practical because they are probably paying thousands of people overtime to get new strips made and delivered.

If Roche does not get new strips out very soon it will be a disaster of tremendous proportions. If all of the people who can't use their CoaguCheks go to hospital or commercial labs then those places will run out of test materials very quickly. Then the manufacturers of other test materials will run out. I could forsee nobody being tested unless they were actively bleeding.

I plan to use the strips that we have on hand. If I get an unusually high reading, then I will try to use another lot. But I usually have only one lot on had at a time. Fortunately we got in 12 boxes of 48 strips on Friday just before the notice went out.
 
home testing

home testing

I am one plus years post op since aortic valve replacement. (had the On-x mechanical valve) Have seriously considered home testing and would appreciate any recommendations as to vendors to choose from/ pros-cons. thanks
 
Hi Al,

Your post is the reality that is really concerning. Never thought of the trickling effect. Hospital's and labs being backed up. If that will be the case...looks like I will be purchasing another brand of home tester. Will contact my ins co. tomorrow to CYA. This could be catastrophic for the business of Roche. It's a shame because their product has been superior.

PS...on the Coaguchek XS. Has is been approved for the patient?
 
Anyone know if this applies to the UK too?
Ive not heard anything yet but wonder if I should try and ring them?

Emma
xxx
 
Don't know Emma. I am still holding for tech support. Going on an hour and a half now! If anyone has another route...please let me know!

Thanks!
 
Hi Emma
I rang the info/sales line this morning and they knew nothing about it.:( They did take my details and promise to get back to me. A lady from their tech support group left a message for me earlier this afternoon but we were out and now playing telephone tag. The direct line to their support folk(s) is 0808-100-1920 (that's a UK number). I'm hoping to hear more tomorrow.

I was reassured that Al is going to carry on using his stock of strips. I intend to do the same with mine - I've one left in one box and a box of 12 new ones. I guess it will make sense to use the new box and only use the one from the older box if I get an anomalous reading.

Certainly don't feel like shelling out £399 for the new model right now:confused:
 
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