Type 1 diabetics in Southlanders will soon have access to continuous glucose monitors.

Pharmac has agreed to fund continuous glucose monitors, and insulin pumps, and insulin pump consumables for people with type 1 diabetes from next month.

This is wonderful news for diabetics in the South and has been has hailed by Diabetes NZ as “monumental.”

When in opposition I was on the Health Select Committee which looked into a petition calling for these changes.

I heard first hand from parents and children about the difference these monitors can make in their lives and the peace of mind that they can bring.

About 12,000 New Zealanders with diabetes are expected to receive the funded continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in the first year, rising to more than 18,000 in five years.

The continuous glucose monitors are a small device that measures blood sugar in real time via a tiny filament in the skin. The monitors connect to a reader or an app on a smartphone.

Traditionally people with diabetes have had to prick their finger and put a drop of blood on a strip and into a glucose monitor.

This can be very burdensome for diabetes patients, and particularly difficult and upsetting for young children, so the impact of having this technology available is going to be immeasurable.

The devices can help people with diabetes avoid dangerous low or high blood sugars, and give them pretty much real time data on what their glucose levels are doing.

The monitors are set to reduce diabetes-related distress, see fewer hospitalisations and medical complications, and provide huge improvement in the mental wellbeing and quality of life of those with diabetes.

Free access to these devices will not only be life-changing for many Southlanders living with type 1 diabetes, but it will also be lifesaving.

This is a great decision and one that really will benefit local people.

Funded by Parliamentary Services