BD Pen Needles

I normally use 5mm BD Micro-Fine pen needles. When I picked up my prescription a few days ago, my local Lloyd's Pharmacy told me that they couldn't get any 5mm BD needles and that I should get my GP to prescribe an alternative - which I did. I picked up that prescription from Lloyd's today and was told that they could only get the 8mm BD needles. I accepted these because my stock was low. The pharmacist told me that there was a problem with the manufacturer, which was likely to last over a month.

I searched the internet for information and found a forum on diabetes.co.uk that had a topic entitled 'Withdrawal of BD 4mm pen needles'. It appears that BD are going to stop making 4mm pen needles (I didn't know that there were such things) and I wondered whether all the 4mm users were going over to the 5mm variety and causing a shortage.

Has anybody else had these problems?

Is there an alternative manufacturer of 5mm pen needles?

Alan,

It would be good to know this as I have just changed from 8 to 4 on the advice of the nurse and I will need to stock up.

Cheers

I hope this isn't true. Diabetic nurse moved me onto these as didn't have enough flabby bits for larger needles (think started on 8mm then 6mm) but less of a problem now as have put on some weight.

Will just wait and see as need to stock up in a few weeks.

Regds, alturn.

I have just been changed from 8mm to 4mm on advice from my DSN surprising to hear this

Best thing to do is to contact them your self's http://www.bd.com/uk/contact/ ,Could this be to do with the NHS trying to cut down on stock lines but strange thing is BD do sell there 4mm needles as shown on there product web site http://www.bd.com/uk/diabetes/page.aspx?cat=14153&id=31354 ,The other alternative for needles are pen manufactures also who supply needles but am not aware if the NHS fund these,I my self use to be user of the 3mm needles when was first DX 4 years ago but I use get awful bruising and bleeding and infection and dread lumps,I then went onto the 5mm two years ago and have found them excellent and much more manageable when injecting into site areas,Am also Sorry you will have to paste into the browser BD details

I have moved over the years from 8 then 6, 5 down to 4, I have quite few at the moment, but might put a prescription in if they are looking at stopping them!

I have been in email contact with BD and that there has been a production problem with th 5mm needles and when I asked about the 4mm being discontinued, I was told that they have NOT been discontinued.
This an extract from the email from them:

I can confirm this is definitely not the case. The BD 4 mm pen needle has not and will not be discontinued.
What has happened is the name has changed slightly on the prescribing system used at GP surgery’s. It may now come up as BD 4mm Micro fine Ultra instead of Micro Fine Plus. There has however been no change to the packaging or product itself.

Thank you very much for that Alan much appreciated as I've just changed from 8mm to 4mm

Thank you very much for that Alan much appreciated as I've just changed from 8mm to 4mm

Top work Alan. I think we need to think of a new mission for you!