CGM TIMELINE

2019

November 2019: Diabetes NZ presented a petition to Parliament, asking: ‘That the House of Representatives urge Pharmac to fund Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM), GLP1 agonists including Bydureon, Byetta, Lyxumia, and Victoza, SGLT2 inhibitors including Forxiga and Jardiance, and DPP-4 inhibitors including Januvia, Onglyza, and Trajenta.’ The petition had gained close to 28,000 signatures. Diabetes NZ also produced a template letter for people to write directly to their local MP.

2020

December 2020: In response to feedback from Diabetes NZ and others, Te Pātaka Whaioranga – Pharmac made the decision to fund two new medicines for New Zealanders who are at high risk of heart and kidney complications from type 2 diabetes.

The first of these medicines became available, fully funded, from 1 February 2021.

2021

January 2021: Diabetes NZ submitted background information to the Health Select Committee on the matters outlined in the 2019 petition.

June 2021: Diabetes NZ argued the case for funded CGMs in front of the Health Committee. Te Pataka Whaioranga – Pharmac responded a week later.

August 2021: The Health Committee presented its report on the Petition to the House. (A copy of the report is available on the Parliament website.)

August 2021: Musicians Vince Harder and Abby Lee released the song ‘Overwhelmed’ after their daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The song helped to raise awareness about type 1 diabetes, and how life-changing continuous glucose monitors can be for those living with type 1 and their families, and how unfair it is that many can’t afford them.

2022

February/March 2022:

Continuing on the momentum built by the 2019 petition and the Health Select Committee hearing of the petition in June 2021, Diabetes NZ took to social media to gather support and visibility for their campaign for CGMs to be publicly funded for everyone in Aotearoa.

As part of the campaign, Diabetes NZ called on people with diabetes to flood Facebook and Instagram with images and posts illustrating the burden of diabetes and the life-saving impact of CGM technology using the hashtag #CGMforall.

The campaign generated the highest engagement on social media out of any activity during the year.

In 2022 and 2023, Diabetes NZ asked people to share their diabetes stories using the hashtag #CGMFORALL

2023

February 2023: PHARMAC

signaled the first step in funding continuous glucose monitors in Aotearoa New Zealand. After many years of advocating, Diabetes NZ are hopeful that this is a decision for all people with diabetes who are insulin dependent.

June 2023: Diabetes NZ kicked off the next stage with a new campaign We Won’t Stop with the message ‘We Won’t Stop until all New Zealanders living with diabetes who are using insulin have access to the global standard of care, including access to funded CGMs to manage their diabetes and avoid complications.’

September 2023: Diabetes NZ held the Diabetes Matters forum in the lead-up to the election with support from New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes, Edgar Diabetes & Obesity Research Centre and Healthier Lives – He Oranga Hauora National Science Challenge. The forum included representatives from the National, Labour and Green Parties (all of whom supported the funding of CGMs) and National followed up this support by adding CGM funding into their Health Policy.

2024

April 2024: Te Pātaka Whaioranga – Pharmac announced their proposal to provide fully funded access to CGMs, insulin pumps, and insulin pump consumables for all people living with type 1 diabetes. This was an historic milestone for the diabetes community and for all those living with type 1 diabetes.

May 2024: Pharmac announced a delay in their proposals around the funding of CGMs, insulin pumps and insulin consumables. Diabetes NZ remained committed to working with Pharmac while representing the diabetes community.

29 August 2024: Te Pātaka Whaioranga – Pharmac announced they would be funding CGMs, insulin pumps, and insulin pump consumables for people with type 1 diabetes.

1 October 2024: Funding is available for people with type 1 diabetes in Aotearoa New Zealand. About 12,000 people with type 1 diabetes are expected to receive CGMs in the first year of funding, rising to more than 18,000 after five years. About 4,800 people are currently using insulin pumps and Pharmac expects this number to increase to nearly 10,000 over five years.

Diabetes NZ will not stop until CGMs are funded for all, so the advocacy will continue.