Utilization and Expenditure on Blood Glucose Test Strips in Canada

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to explore utilization patterns and expenditures on blood glucose test strips (BGTSs) in Canada according to concurrently prescribed diabetes treatments. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective utilization analysis using administrative claims data from available public and private drug plans in Canada. Utilization and expenditures on BGTSs were calculated, as was the average daily frequency of BGTS use by concurrent diabetes pharmacotherapy. RESULTS: Expenditures on BGTSs in Canada in 8 public drug plans in 2006 were $247 million, while those in private drug plans were in excess of $81 million. Almost half of total expenditures were for patients not using insulin, despite a lower average number of BGTSs claimed per day compared with those using insulin. INTERPRETATION: In private and public drug plans in Canada, current utilization and expenditure on BGTSs is considerable. Given the size of the investment and lack of convincing evidence that routine self-monitoring of blood glucose is beneficial for patients not using insulin, there may be more cost-effective strategies for improving the health of this population.