Government of Punjab Province in Pakistan Announces Insulin Program
In a groundbreaking move for Pakistan, Punjab’s Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has announced the launch of the “Punjab Insulin Program,” an initiative aimed at ensuring home delivery of life-saving insulin to children living with type 1 diabetes. The programme, which begins as a pilot in three districts, highlights a commitment to improving healthcare access for […]
Insulin Cost Caps in the United States Are Not Delivering Intended Results
Study Exposes Limitations of State-Level Insulin Cost Caps in the United States and Calls for Targeted Policy Reform A first-of-its-kind study conducted by researchers at the University of Colorado has revealed significant shortcomings in state-level insulin out-of-pocket cost caps in the U.S., a measure widely hailed as a solution to insulin affordability. Despite their promise, […]
No Access for Half of those Needing Insulin!
In December 2023, Amsterdam played host to a major global gathering, bringing together more than 80 experts to tackle the pressing issues surrounding sustainable access to insulin. The discussions focused on the findings of the Addressing the Challenges and Constraints of Insulin Sources and Supply (ACCISS) Study by Health Action International, particularly focusing on insulin […]
War Zone Access to Insulin
A petition was raised by people from the diabetes community worldwide to ensure uninterrupted access to insulin in conflict zones and during humanitarian crises, such as Ukraine, Gaza, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. “Insulin represents survival, and access to it safeguards the human rights to health and life,” claimed Nathalie Piat, a member of this […]
Tech News
FDA Clears New Insulin Pump and Algorithm-Based Software to Support Enhanced Automatic Insulin Delivery – Closer to a bionic pancreas. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-clears-new-insulin-pump-and-algorithm-based-software-to-support-enhanced-automatic-insulin-delivery-301829765.html Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre R 2 received national reimbursement in France for all people with diabetes treated with insulin. https://abbott.mediaroom.com/2023-06-22-Abbotts-FreeStyle-Libre-R-2-Receives-National-Reimbursement-in-France-for-All-People-with-Diabetes-Who-Use-Insulin Dexcom G7 Approved in Canada Patients living with diabetes in Canada will soon be able […]
India Schools and Insulin
The Uttar Pradesh state government has recently decided to allow school students with Type 1 diabetes to carry insulin to classrooms. Although there are no rules to ban students carrying insulin, there were none in place to allow it. The intention is to ensure all schools are aware of the need for students with diabetes […]
Research Corner
An Indian study has suggested that diabetes is linked to bone health, particularly among older people. https://www.indiatoday.in/health/story/diabetes-major-threat-to-bone-health-reveals-new-study-2454373-2023-10-27 Scientists in Sweden have developed eye implants using insulin-producing cells that could treat diabetes. https://www.firstpost.com/tech/news-analysis/miracle-cure-scientists-develop-eye-implants-using-insulin-producing-cells-that-could-treat-diabetes-13294092.html In Germany, Insulet has announced a full market release of Omnipod 5 – an automated insulin delivery system. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230828947492/en/Insulet-Announces-Full-Market-Release-of-Omnipod%C2%AE-5-Automated-Insulin-Delivery-System-in-Germany
Collaboration Brings Success
US Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) joined a Washington Post Live event to discuss the high cost of prescription medication in the United States. In their discussion, the Senators discussed their cross-party (bipartisan) efforts to pass comprehensive Pharmacy Benefits Managers (PBM) reform, lower the cost of insulin, including their Insulin Act, and why […]
Collaboration Brings Success
Diabetes Australia has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Health and Aged Care, Hon Mark Butler MP, that Fiasp insulin will continue to be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), a government scheme that subsidises the cost of medicines. Minister Butler has announced the new listing of Fiasp Penfill which contains the same insulin […]
Policy Briefings for Law Makers
This spring, the US-based Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) delivered policy briefings for federal policymakers in Washington DC, highlighting diabetes community needs through the voice of patients, caregivers and clinicians. Presentations addressed gaps in access and affordability of diabetes treatment and innovation, and the landscape of actionable solutions for the new Congress. In March, DLC […]
Technology Corner
FDA Approves Bionic Pancreas System. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration cleared the Beta Bionics iLet ACE Pump and the iLet Dosing Decision Software for people six years of age and older with type 1 diabetes. These two devices, along with a compatible FDA-cleared integrated continuous glucose monitor (iCGM), will form a new system called […]
Insulin Fears Allayed
Fear that fast-acting insulin ‘Fiasp’ used by approximately 14,000 people with Type 1 diabetes in Australia would be withdrawn have been allayed, at least temporarily. This followed an outcry from patients, politicians and advocacy groups. PDGN highlighted the issue on its social media pages at the time the news broke that the insulins would be […]
News in Brief
Real Time CGM Recommended for some type 2 Children In the UK, hundreds of children with type 2 diabetes will be offered the choice of two life changing technologies. Children with type 2 diabetes who currently manage their condition with the ‘burdensome’, ‘tiring’, and ‘stressful’ task of finger prick testing several times a day could […]
News From Around the Globe: Over a million Self-Rationing Insulin in USA
An estimated 1.3 million adults in the one of the world’s wealthiest nations are having to self-ration their insulin doses due to high costs, increasing their risk of complications including kidney damage, blindness and even death. The average for a standard unit of insulin in the US is nearly $100, compared to $12 in Canada, […]
MP Raising Money for Diabetes
James Duddridge, UK MP for Rochford and Southend East, has announced he will run this year’s iconic 26.2-mile race on behalf of Diabetes UK. Each year, Duddridge runs the London Marathon for a different charity. He was was diagnosed with diabetes about five years ago. He takes insulin to manage the condition and monitors his blood glucose […]
Senate Action on Insulin Costs
U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) – Co-Chairs of the Senate Diabetes Caucus – announced their new bipartisan legislation, the ‘Improving Needed Safeguards for Users of Lifesaving Insulin Now (INSULIN) Act’, to lower the skyrocketing costs of insulin. The new legislation builds on Collins’ and Shaheen’s previous efforts, increasing measures to encourage insulin […]
More News From Around the World: Online Lobbying
The price of insulin and prescription drugs continue to dominate the issues facing people with diabetes in the USA. As part of their campaign to raise awareness and prompt action, the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition (DPAC), is holding a virtual Hill Day in June. The event involves advocates from different states signing up to lobby […]
Temporary Victory for Alberta Pumpers
Government plans in the Canadian province of Alberta to change funding for insulin pumps have been put on hold following fears expressed by MPs and people with Type 1 diabetes. Alberta’s health minister apologised and said the changes, which were to begin in August are being put off pending consultations to make sure no one […]
The American Diabetes Association continues to support the efforts of people campaigning to cap the cost of Insulin.
ADA members have successfully put the issue on the agenda of numerous State legislators. The ADA says the cost of life-saving insulin nearly tripled between 2002 and 2013. Separately the Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC), who are also campaigning to reduce the cost of insulin, have said that they were excited around both President Biden’s State […]
Associations’ News
News from Associate Members of PDGN – national diabetes associations and other not-for-profits BDA Covid Action To overcome Covid restrictions, the Bermuda Diabetic Association has been providing on-line education updates, and innovative programmes for those with diabetes. The pandemic has revealed that more people are without employment and health insurance and requiring free diabetes medicine […]
Research News in Brief
Gap widens between US and European HbAic* averages Mean HbA1c for people with type 1 diabetes increased in the U.S. from 2011 to 2017, whereas Europe reported a decline among children, according to study data. *By measuring glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) in the blood, average blood sugar levels can be calculated. https://www.healio.com/news/endocrinology/20220107/gap-in-mean-hba1c-values-growing-between-us-european-nations High blood pressure and […]
Pancreas Transplant Service
Singapore has created a transplant service for Singaporeans, the first in South east Asia for permanent residents who qualify for subsidies under a new national programme. The Ministry of Health hopes that potential patients at all hospitals will be identified and screened for their transplant suitability and to be placed in a waiting list. It […]
More Action Needed on Insulin Access
A World Health Organisation (WHO) report ‘Keeping the 100-year-old Promise – making insulin access universal’ criticises the fact that insulin is still out of reach for many patients. The report lists the main barriers to access being: ● High prices ● Low Availability ● Producers ● Weak Health Systems WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, […]
DLC Diabetes Action Plan
The Diabetes Leadership Council (DLC) of America has published a ‘Consensus Paper’ on their Diabetes Action Plan that received input from 10 organisations with an interest in Diabetes. Among many issues the plan highlights affordable insulin as the bedrock of diabetes management for 1 in 3 people with diabetes, but recognises that insulin is only […]
Call on Kenyan Government to Lower Insulin Cost
Key gaps in the affordability and availability of insulin in Kenya have been identified in a study conducted by the Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH). PATH is active in around 70 counties, including Kenya, with a mission to advance health equity through innovation and partnerships. They say that the cost of insulin in […]
DKA Link to COVID in Young Type 1’s
Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) events increased among youths with type 1 diabetes in the U.S. and other countries hit hard by the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published in Diabetes Technology and Therapeutics. DKA is a serious problem that can happen in people with diabetes if their body starts to run […]
Aussie Pollies Debate 100 years of Insulin
Australian politicians, called pollies by their media, debated 100 years of insulin on a motion proposed by MPs, Rowan Ramsey and Graham Perrett, the Co-Chairs of the Australian Parliament’s Friends of Diabetes. In the debate many issues were raised with MPs from across the country taking part. Rowan Ramsey (right), a member of the ruling […]
News From Around the Globe Continued: A Month Without Insulin
The difficulties obtaining insulin, testing strips and medicines are not unique to the Sudanese hospital we reported about in our last issue. The stock of injections for diabetes patients has been exhausted in the Landikotal District Hospital in the Khyber tribal district of Pakistan. Hospital sources reported in the local press have claimed many people […]
Diabetes – Three times more deadly than COVID
Diabetes claimed around four million two hundred thousand lives last year – three times as many as from COVID-19, yet this news almost goes unnoticed. Diabetes has not been nicknamed ‘The Silent Killer’ for no reason when globally there are over 463 million people who live with the condition. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) warns […]
International Diabetes Federation News
PDGN was delighted that Professor Andrew Boulton and Dr Niti Pall took up the positions of President of IDF Global and Chair of IDF Europe Region respectively, after the General Assembly of IDF in December. PDGN wishes them both every success in all that they do to further the cause of diabetes globally and in […]
PDGN People: Number three – Sir Michael Hirst
CAPTION: Current International Diabetes Federation (IDF) President Professor Andrew Boulton (left), catching up with PDGN Co-Chair and a former IDF President Sir Michael Hirst PDGN has three Co-Chairs; Chris Delicata, John Bowis OBE and here the third, one of the founders of PDGN, Sir Michael Hirst tells of his interest and involvement. My interest in […]
News From the USA
Ohio State Senator Campaigns to Cap Insulin Prices The continuing issue of high insulin prices in the USA is being raised and tacked by politicians at State and Federal level. In Lakewood, Ohio, the State Senator for the area, Nickie Antonio, has successfully seen parts of her proposal to combat diabetes pass through the Senate […]
News From Around the World
Morocco The Moroccan Diabetes League celebrated World Diabetes Day in the city of LAAYOUN in southern Morocco. Advocacy Action: Start planning now for World Diabetes Day 14th November 2020. Malta Thanks to campaigning MPs, an €800,000 investment will see 2,000 Type 2 diabetes patients on the Island, who previously paid for their insulin, receive it free […]
High costs of insulin still creating headlines
The rising cost of insulins has been well documented in the US where there are more than 30 million Americans with diabetes, a disease that costs the U.S. more than $327 billion per year. For people living with diabetes, including all individuals with Type 1 diabetes, access to insulin is literally a matter of life […]
Impact of Insulin Cost Rises
The cost of insulin nearly doubled between 2012 and 2016 leading to some US citizens with diabetes rationing their medicine to survive. With a vial of insulin costing around $300 in the United States, people prescribed with insulin for their diabetes have been hit hard with Hispanic, Asian and Black patients appearing to be the […]
NEWS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE
Pakistan – Concerns that Pakistan’s health Care system might not be able to cope with the global epidemic of diabetes have been expressed by Dr Azok Fazal Pechuho, the country’s health minister. She says Pakistan should not only focus efforts on the prevention of diabetes, but also develop science based natural remedies that can help […]
Lilly to Bring Rocketing Insulin Costs Down to Earth
US insulin manufacturer Eli Lilly has become the first to respond to the growing pressure from patients to cut the cost of insulin. The company announced in March that it would offer a cheaper version of its top selling insulin Humalog in the USA. The decision follows a decision by Congress to investigate the three […]