All test strips (including those of our competitors) are moisture-sensitive. The drum contains desiccant which protects the test strips from moisture for 90 days (in all climatic zones). After that time the desiccant is used up and the test strips are exposed to moisture.
They become unusable after just a few days. An additional desiccant protects the test strips in the unopened vial until the printed expiration date.
When a test strip drum is placed in the Accu-Chek Compact Plus meter, the display shows the drum symbol, the flashing bottle, and clock symbol after 90 days. This means that the test strip drum can no longer be used. Legally, the test strips must not be used. If they are, the readings obtained must be used for guidance only.                                      

When the drum compartment cover is opened, a control test is needed to see if the test strips are still useable. The meter registers every opening of the drum compartment cover and the drum symbol and flashing bottle symbol appear in the display. To prevent incorrect results, the quality of each test strip is also checked again before it is used