Is It Legal to Sell Diabetic Test Strips in California?
We buy sealed diabetic supplies for cash. We do not sell supplies.
Whether you can legally sell diabetic test strips in California depends on your situation, and we can't give you a legal answer. Where the strips came from, who paid for them and how they're labeled can all matter. If you're unsure, talk to an attorney licensed in California.
Selling? See how we buy test strips.
This page is general information, not medical or legal advice. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about your own care.
We're not lawyers, and nothing here is legal advice. What we can do is explain the questions to ask, what the FDA says and the rules we follow ourselves.
Rules can change, and they can apply differently to different people. That's one more reason to get advice about your own case, not a general answer from a website.
Why is there no simple answer?
Test strips are sold over the counter. But many people get them through a health plan, Medicare or Medi-Cal. Two people with the same box can be in very different spots. When a plan pays, the plan's own rules may apply to what you do with the supplies.
Packaging can matter too. Some boxes are marked "NOT FOR RESALE."
There's also an open question about how California's pharmacy and resale rules apply to individuals and buyers. We don't have a legal answer to that. An attorney is the right person to ask.
So instead of guessing, we set our own rules on the careful side. They're listed below. They aren't a legal opinion. They're simply the limits we use when we decide what to buy.
What the FDA says about pre-owned strips
The FDA has warned people against buying or using pre-owned test strips or strips not authorized for sale in the U.S..
Its reasons are worth reading, since they explain why careful buyers ask so many questions:
- You can't know if pre-owned strips were stored properly.
- They could be expired, or the dates could have been changed or covered.
- Vials opened by someone else may carry small amounts of blood.
- Strips not cleared for U.S. sale may give wrong results.
Wrong results matter. The FDA notes they can lead someone to take too much or too little medicine.
The FDA says to always use new strips authorized for sale in the United States. That's a big reason we only buy sealed, unexpired boxes in good condition. A sealed box with a clear date avoids most of the risks the FDA lists.
What won't we buy?
To stay on the careful side, we don't buy:
- Supplies paid for by Medicare or Medi-Cal
- Boxes marked "NOT FOR RESALE"
- Expired items
- Opened or damaged boxes
- Insulin
Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program. Medicare covers people 65 and older and some younger people with a disability, ESRD or ALS. See what can't be sold to us for the full list.
Before you sell diabetic test strips
Ask yourself these questions:
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Who paid for the strips? | Plan rules may apply |
| Is the box marked "NOT FOR RESALE"? | We won't buy it |
| Is it sealed? | Opened boxes can't be resold |
| Is it before the date? | Expired strips can give wrong results |
If a government program or plan paid, check its rules first. If you can't tell who paid, look at the pharmacy label or ask your pharmacy.
Don't open a box to check anything. The outer label has the date, and a sealed box is the only kind we can take. If you have a mix of boxes, sort them into "OK to offer" and "ask first" before you send photos.
Who can give you a real answer?
For your own situation, these are the right people to ask:
- An attorney licensed in California
- Your health plan's member services line, the number on your card
- Medicare, at 1-800-MEDICARE or Medicare.gov
- Medi-Cal, through the California DHCS
When you call an attorney's office, ask about the cost before you book a time. That way, there are no surprises.
Bring your questions in writing. Include where the strips came from and who paid. That makes it easier to get a clear answer.
Write down who you talked to, the date and what they said. If you get advice, you'll have a record of it.
A real-life example
Say you bought extra test strips with your own money while waiting for a new prescription. Now you have six sealed boxes you won't use.
You check each one. They're sealed, in date and not marked "NOT FOR RESALE." No plan paid for them. Those are the kinds of boxes we can quote.
Now say a neighbor's boxes came through Medi-Cal. Those we won't buy. If your neighbor has questions about them, Medi-Cal or an attorney is the place to start.
The boxes look the same on a shelf. The difference is who paid, and that's why we always ask.
What's the safest path?
Keep it simple. Only offer sealed, unexpired boxes you paid for yourself or through a private plan. Keep your receipts if you have them. Leave out anything a government program paid for or that says "NOT FOR RESALE."
Our guide on where to sell test strips near you covers your options. It compares local and online buyers side by side. And if anything about your case feels unclear, ask an attorney before you sell.
Keep reading
Questions
Is it legal to sell test strips in California?
It depends on your situation, including who paid and how the box is labeled. We can't give legal advice, so talk to an attorney licensed in California.
Does the FDA allow buying pre-owned test strips?
The FDA warns against buying or using pre-owned test strips. It recommends new, unopened strips authorized for U.S. sale.
Do you buy strips paid for by Medi-Cal?
No. We don't buy supplies paid for by Medicare or Medi-Cal.
Who should I ask about my own situation?
An attorney licensed in California is the best place to start. Your plan, Medicare or Medi-Cal can answer coverage questions.
Want to sell diabetic test strips?
If you want to sell diabetic test strips you paid for, and they're sealed and in date, we may be able to help. We never charge a fee. Send a photo of each box and date for a free quote.