Diabetic Care Services Provides Tips On Avoiding Fraudulent Diabetes Supplies

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 11 Nov 2009 - 0:00 PST

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Diabetic Care Services responds to the National Retail Federation's updated "Buyer Beware" list with tips on avoiding fraudulent diabetes supplies. The NRF updated its list of common household items, including diabetes supplies, sold on online auction sites that are at risk of being stolen or tainted.

"If diabetes supplies are not purchased from a legitimate retailer, there is risk of products being expired, exposed to extreme temperatures or being sent from overseas and repackaged," said Marc Wolf, pharmacist and CEO of Diabetic Care Services. "The result can be inaccurate readings from faulty testing supplies, potentially causing a person to treat a high or low ineffectively. The outcome could be diabetic shock or a coma."

Purchasing diabetes supplies and medications online or by phone can be beneficial, offering consumers convenience, competitive pricing and privacy. However, retailers need to be legitimate. Wolf provides the following tips on how to avoid purchasing fraudulent diabetes supplies online or by phone.

1. Beware of "discount" prices. "If the price sounds too good to be true, it probably is," said Wolf. "In fact, savings will not occur if the supplies are tainted and patients require additional supplies to achieve accurate results."

If prices seem lower than usual, call the product manufacturer and inquire about the quality of the diabetes supplies with that retailer. "You might be shocked to discover the manufacturer didn't authorize the retailer to sell its products, meaning the diabetes testing supplies are being purchased from an unidentified third party, making the quality and efficacy of the supplies extremely suspect," said Wolf.

2. Check the credentials. "Just because a web site looks official or a call center sounds professional doesn't mean it is credible," said Wolf. "Look for accreditations, like the Healthcare Quality Association on Accreditation, that confirm the business is consistently operating with established quality business practices and demonstrates ethical practices. In fact, the Medicare Modernization Act requires diabetic suppliers be certified by a reputable accreditation organization to serve Medicare patients. If purchasing prescription medications, ensure the business is a licensed pharmacy in the United States.

3. Check the Better Business Bureau rating. Confirm the company is accredited by the BBB.

4. Ask suppliers for customer referrals. Most legitimate companies will happily share client testimonials or allow you to call several patients as references.

5. Check with peers. Many diabetic blogs and communities online let you post questions asking if anyone has experience with a specific supplier.

Source
Diabetic Care Services