A turning point for those with type 2 diabetes in Lazio. The Region, in fact, now guarantees free technological device for instantaneous self-monitoring of blood glucose offering great news for the regional healthcare system.
It is the result of the alliance between the Italian Society of Diabetology (SID) e the Association of Diabetes Doctors (AMD) along with Lazio Diabetes Federation who worked together with the Region on a document for the extension of the reimbursement criteria for the new glucose self-monitoring devices for all people with type 2 diabetes treated with insulin (any dosage or number of injections) and to start extend the use of sensors (2 per year) to patients at high cardiovascular risk.
The measure was adopted through a determination by the Health and Social-Health Integration Directorate of the Lazio Region on the proposal of Marzia Mensurati, director of the Drugs and Devices Area.
The prescription of devices and consumables will be carried out exclusively by diabetes endocrinology specialists authorised on the platform (web-care) and subject to verification by the hospital pharmacist, following the drafting of a therapeutic plan. ‘Continuous’ systems measure glucose circulating in the subcutaneous interstitial fluid. Depending on the life of the sensor, the maximum number of sensors that can be prescribed is indicated, without limits on reimbursement.
An answer that meets the specific health needs of people with diabetes by providing them with innovative and effective tools. The provision certifies the importance of ensuring the widespread distribution of supplies throughout the Region and replaces the previous Resolution G01660 of 2013. Representatives of SID, AMD, the Lazio Region and Federdiabete Lazio presented the novelty at a press conference in Rome.
Using a sensor that monitors blood sugar levels has shown benefits on multiple fronts: from glycemic compensation to the prevention of complications up to an improvement in the quality of life thanks to the greater freedom, accuracy and manageability of the devices.
As he pointed out Nicholas Naplespresident of SID Lazio: «This is an important goal, achieved thanks to the collaboration and synergy between scientific societies, patients and the Lazio Region, in particular Dr. Marzia Mensurati. The benefits for patients are concrete: from lower risk of hypoglycemiaparticularly for those with a higher vascular risk, to overall quality of life».
The document establishes the Maximum ceilings for continuous glucose monitoring devicesThe working group has established the target of patients who can derive the maximum benefit from a cost-effective perspective.
«Thanks to the synergistic work carried out together with patient associations and the Lazio Region, Today we have tools available to support diabetes therapy that allow us to adopt an innovative approach for the management of the pathology”, he added Vincent Flowerregional president of AMD Lazio.
«As Scientific Societies our goal is to promote equitable access to these new tools for increasingly better daily management of the disease. It is important to exploit this opportunity, transforming the regulatory primacy achieved by the Lazio Region into a clinical advantage. and in a new management approach to benefit the health of people with diabetes.”
«The new regional resolution that extends the use of blood glucose sensors to all people with type 2 diabetes regardless of the number of insulin administrations and also to those still affected by type 2 diabetes who have a high cardiovascular risk represents a significant step forward in the treatment of diabetes. The Italian Society of Diabetology – stated the president-elect Raffaella Buzzetti – appreciates the work of the regional SID and AMD representatives who, by actively collaborating with the Region, have achieved this significant result also thanks to the commitment of patient associations. Lazio is therefore certainly among the most advanced regions in the process of treating diabetes with a view to preventing its complications”.
«The tools for real-time blood sugar monitoring They represent useful and innovative allies for keeping blood sugar levels under control and possibly modifying lifestyle, diet and therapy – he declared Richard Candido, national president of AMD –. The data in the literature on the benefits of these devices for people with type 2 diabetes – on non-insulin therapy – are still few: the hope is that from the pilot experience of the Lazio Region, data useful for clinical practice can be collected, so that other Regions can follow suit.”
