I have to say I do appreciate a fast response, and have got one from PHARMAC just this minute.
My email:
To whom it may concern
I am interested in information around PHARMAC’s current stance on funding/subsidy of insulin pumps and insulin pump consumables. The latest document I can find on your website re this is from 2002:
We have received requests by patients to fund insulin pumps. The diabetes subcommittee of PTAC has previously recognised its use in the small “brittle” patient group but so far has not recommended PHARMAC subsidise them. Currently there appear to be various ways patients access pumps, for instance hiring them from hospitals. Anecdotally we are aware that manufacturers are starting to promote pumps for wider use than just brittle diabetics. The subcommittee has considered the issue and expressed an interest in considering it further but gave it a low priority compared to other diabetes areas and asked that before it consider it further, the funding stream (HFA directly or PHARMAC) be clarified.
Is there any chance you can give me a more up-to-date statement on this please? I am interested in where this currently sits, and why PHARMAC will not fund insulin pumps or their consumables.
Thanks very much in advance.
Nicola Reade
Their response:
Dear Nicola
Thank you for your email of 28 February regarding funding of insulin pumps and consumables.
At this stage, PHARMAC only subsidises pharmaceuticals, so pumps and consumables do not fall into our area.
The Ministry of Health is looking into the funding of these items. Dr Sandy Dawson is the relevant contact, should you wish to contact the Ministry directly. The address is:
Ministry of Health
PO Box 5013
WELLINGTON
Posted in Funding, Insulin Pumps
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7 comments have been made on this post
Matt Taylor wrote
Hi Nic
Sandy dawson is the chap I had coffee with to discuss this very issue. I won’t elaborate here because not certain that my comments will be posted. Last time I had message saying I needed cookies to support Java … being wary of cookies I cut and ran!
Cheers
Matt
Nic wrote
Hi Matt, your last incident must have been a momentary technical hitch…. tell us more about your encounter with Dr Sandy Dawson please!
Chris wrote
I know that Sandy Dawson is very sympathetic to our cause, so best of luck.
Nic wrote
This comment is from Matt Taylor…
The tragedy is that type 1’s continue to be poorly represented by DNZ. Pumpers as a sub group are even even worse off. Mike Smith, the then incoming DNZ National President, wrote in a forward to Prof Robert Beagelhole’s 2008 ‘Prevention In Action’ report “The special needs of people with type 1 diabetes have been overlooked for too long. We want a national register and an improvement in their long term management”. Sounds good but he then ignored my efforts to engage him on the subject. I mean I can see from a statistical imperative that the establishment of a national register would help the MoH, but I wondered how such a register would practically help / assist type 1’s.
I also asked
1. Did DNZ support acess to pumps and consumables for ALL type 1’s or just those under 18yrs.
2. Why was lobbying to get funding for pumps and consumables buried deep in the PIA report
4. Why was only a passing reference made in the report for the establishment of specialised support teams?
5. Why no mention was made of the need to secure more funding for existing specialist health support personel.
6. Why the report didn’t mention how the causes of type 1 diabetes are often confused with the causes of type 2’s
The report that DNZ proudly trumpeted as their priority action statement, focussed almost entirely on addressing the needs of type 2’s and barely addresses the issues that type 1’s face let alone pumpers! How did Australians get funding for pumpers …. they have a focussed organisation that represents them who know how to lobby, not simply cosey up!!
Beyond individual efforts to raise awareness pumpers need to band together as a group and raise awareness …. maybe a bike ride from Akld to Wgth? …. anyone keen?
Nic wrote
I’m keen Matt! Not sure I have it in me to ride all that way but would give part of it a crack for sure! Are you putting up your hand to organise it? I’ll do the publicity!
Stephen wrote
Just wondering if there has been any progress
Id also be keen for a bike ride
Nic wrote
You’ll hear from me when there is Stephen but I think the main thing I’m learning on this is you have to be patient and persistent at the same time. I’m better at the second than the first.