Aotearoa / New Zealand

This seems in respect to continuous glucose monitors (CGM’s), a device used by diabetics to continuous monitor their blood glucose levels rather than finger pricking and testing blood samples. A CGM requires sensors which need replacing regularly.

First off there are 2 types of diabetes. Type 1 where the body no longer produces its own insulin, and Type 2 where the bodies insulin levels produced are reduced. Type 1 requires insulin to be introduced via injections or pump. Type 2 typically is controlled by oral medications.

For a lot of diabetic patients a CGM massively improves their control of glucose levels which in turn greatly reduces the chances of developing diabetes related complications.

Pharmac were in the process of evaluating CGM’s such that the very high ongoing costs would be removed, or at least reduced, for all NZ Type 1 diabetics. They were already specially funded for some really unwell youngsters, but I saw recently that the new government seems to have withdrawn that. IDK the stated reasoning though, I guess to save money.

I’m a T1 diabetic, it is a VERY serious lifelong condition, typically appearing in youngsters, I was 9 when it appeared, but sometimes it occurs in older patients.