Month on, Jan Aushadhi stores run short of glucometers, strips

Chandigarh, August 17

Jan Aushadhi stores in the city are facing shortage of glucometers and strips required for checking blood sugar levels of patients suffering from diabetes for the past nearly a month.

Low-cost glucometers were launched about a year ago at the Jan Aushadhi stores and the price of the device was nearly 40 per cent less than what was available in the market.

The glucometer is used for self-monitoring of blood glucose and it derives the blood sugar level from the test strips, which in turn are displayed at digital screens.

Atul Sharma, who bought a glucometer from the Jan Aushadhi store, said the device had been rendered useless in the absence of strips.

“I have been forced to buy a new glucometer of a private company as strips available in the market are not compatible with the device bought from the Jan Aushadhi store,” he said.

The Jan Aushadhi stores launched the device at Rs 480 and strips at Rs 225. The same products are available in the market for nearly Rs 1,000 and Rs 800, respectively.

“A number of machines are available in the market and a pack of strip costs between Rs 700 and Rs 1,000, while at Jan Aushadi store, the same is available at Rs 225,” said Ajay Kumar, a diabetic patient from Mani Majra.

An official at the Jan Aushadhi store said the strips were not available for the past nearly a month and the new stock could reach the stores within a week. — TNS

About Glucometer

Glucometer is used for self-monitoring of blood glucose and it derives the blood sugar level from the test strips, which in turn are displayed at digital screens.