U.S. Food and Drug Administration · reviewed 2026-10-26
What this source supports: Patients should plan refills ahead of time to avoid running out of essential medications over weekends and holidays.
Source limit: Pharmacy lead times vary; call your pharmacist well before you run out.
These sources support the statements above. They do not show that every person needs this guide. They do not show a specific result.
Limits
This guide counts days from the numbers you enter. It does not order supplies, check coverage, or give clinical advice.
Pharmacy lead times vary; call your pharmacist well before you run out.
Use current instructions from the responsible organization. This guide is a planning aid, not an official decision or a substitute for qualified advice.
Common questions
What does the App compute?
Turn strips on hand, daily use, lead time, and a buffer into an order date.
What does the App not do?
This App counts days from your numbers. It does not order supplies, check coverage, or give clinical advice.
Where do the numbers come from?
You enter every number yourself. The sources support the method and the limits. They do not produce a result for your specific case. Keep the original documents next to the sheet you build.
Before you start
Open the linked source page and keep it beside you.
Gather the values the App asks for:
Strips used a day.
Strips on hand.
Days an order takes.
Buffer days.
Set aside ten quiet minutes; rushed numbers are the main error this guide prevents.
Free Companion App
The App computes the worked example with your own numbers, in your browser.
APP 1
Test Strip Supply Order Date
Turn strips on hand, daily use, lead time, and a buffer into an order date.
This guide is edited for clarity and checked against the sources it links. It is not a substitute for official instructions or qualified advice. A linked source does not show that every person needs this guide.