Pharmac Considering Feedback On Diabetes CGMs Funding Proposal

Pharmac has listened to feedback on its proposal to fund
continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps and
insulin pump consumables for people with type 1 diabetes and
is now seeking further advice and information about several
aspects.

“We had a lot of feedback – about 1,200
responses, including a petition with 9,000 signatures – to
our public consultation and we need to engage further with
clinicians, consumer groups and suppliers to understand the
matters raised,” says Geraldine MacGibbon, Pharmac’s
Director Pharmaceuticals.

“We want to make sure that
the proposal we put to Pharmac’s Board is really robust
and well-informed, and that it reflects the feedback we’ve
received in the consultation process.”

She says that
means the timeframe for putting a funding proposal to
Pharmac’s Board and then making funded CGMs available, if
approved, will be pushed back.

“I know that will be
disappointing for many people as we’ve heard very clearly
that having access to funded CGMs would make a real
difference to people’s lives.

“This is a priority
for Pharmac to continue progressing and we’re working as
fast as we can on the funding proposal. We do need to take
the time now though to make sure we’ve listened to and
fully considered the feedback we’ve received during the
consultation.”

Pharmac will host an online
information session in a fortnight to talk about the process
of developing the funding proposal and provide an update on
Pharmac’s next steps, including engagement with
clinicians, consumers and suppliers.

Details of
information session:

• 12 noon until 12.45pm,
Thursday 6 June
• Session will be online on Teams –
attendees will not need an account to join
• The link
to the session will be available via www.pharmac.govt.nz/cgms
•
The session will be recorded and available on Pharmac’s
website afterwards

MacGibbon says the aspects of the
funding proposal raised during the feedback that require
further work relate to product usability, the health impacts
of changing brands of insulin pumps, and the support needed
to help with a change of insulin pump.

“At this
point we can’t say definitively when a decision on the
CGMs and pumps proposal will be made but we will keep you
updated on our progress. We’d like to thank all of the
individual people, whānau, clinicians, consumer groups and
suppliers who provided feedback – it really reflects how
important this is and we are working hard to make this
happen for you.”

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