CHI Blog » Devices

BSL TESTING AND PUMP SUPPLIES AVAILABLE TO HI PATIENTS IN AUSTRALIA AT SUBSIDIZED PRICES

Julie Raskin — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 14:17:37 +0000

While attending the APEG (Australian Paediatric Endocrine Group) meeting in Australia, CHI board member, Margaret Maher, learned that some HI patients in Australia were being refused a standard subsidy for diabetics for the purchase of blood sugar level (BSL) testing supplies. On behalf of the denied patients, Margaret entered into discussions with governmental agencies responsible for the program and has now been assured that HI patients will once again be eligible for discounted BSL supplies.

For years people with diabetes have been able to purchase BSL supplies at subsidized prices in Australia. This type of support from the Australian government has been wonderful. Standard pricing for BSL supplies is very expensive. In some cases people go without testing because the cost of supplies is so high. Lack of testing can lead to poor control of blood sugar levels, which in turn, can cause serious medical complications.

In the past, children with HI were able to receive the subsidy due to their need to monitor BSL’s as frequently as people with diabetes. However, recently, applications from HI patients were rejected causing patients to be ineligible for the subsidy.

Thanks to Margaret’s excellent advocacy work, the policy has been clarified. All Australian children diagnosed with congenital hyperinsulinism (and other conditions which have hypoglycemia as part of the condition such as Kabuki syndrome and cystic fibrosis) by their endocrinologist are eligible for the subsidy. This includes children with HI using insulin pumps to deliver octreotide. All families who have been denied are encouraged to apply again.

This initiative is made possible through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) administered by Diabetes Australia (DA). The NDSS, in addition to providing support and information to people with diabetes, delivers diabetes-related products at subsidized prices.

For further information about this contact CHI.

250 million insulin syringes recalled

Matt Schulte — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:53:14 +0000

Qualitest Pharmaceuticals in Huntsville, Alabama, USA has announced a recall of 250 million insulin syringes.

If the needle becomes detached from the syringe during use, it can become stuck in the insulin vial, push back into the syringe, or remain in the skin after an injection, the company said.

Consumers who have these products should stop using them and contact the company at 800-444-4011 for more information. Adverse reactions can be reported to the Food and Drug Administration at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm.

HI patients taking insulin or octreotide injections.

Read the full article at Daily Finance.

Accuracy of Home Glucose Monitors Questioned – NYTimes.com

Julie Raskin — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 05:26:18 +0000

Euglycemia, or a normal concentration of sugar in the blood, is an important goal for all people living with congenital hyperinsulinism (HI). A reliable glucometer, a device that measures the concentration of glucose in the blood is an important tool helping those with HI achieve euglycemia. One of the ongoing issues for those that use glucometers is that they are not always accurate. According to an article in today’s New York Times, the blood sugar levels recorded by glucometers used at home differ from actual blood sugar levels, as measured by more precise devices used in some hospitals, by as much as 20%. The errors made by glucometers in blood sugar readings may prevent people with HI from treating hypoglycemia in a timely manner. Prompt treatment of hypoglycemia is necessary to prevent the possibility of neurological damage. For that reason the news that the FDA may toughen standards for glucometers is welcome news. See the attached article for all the details:

Accuracy of Home Glucose Monitors Questioned – NYTimes.com.

Thanks Julie.