Pharmac is proposing to fund a range of devices for New Zealanders with type 1 diabetes.  

For many of the 18,000 New Zealanders living with type 1 diabetes, having funded access to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps, and automated insulin delivery (AID) systems would be life changing.  

Pharmac has now negotiated provisional agreements with the preferred suppliers of CGMs, insulin pumps, and AID systems. 

For people currently receiving funded access to the MiniMed 770G insulin pump, this proposal would require a change of their insulin pump. There would be a 12-month transition period from 1 July 2024 to ensure that there is sufficient time to support this change and allow people to consider which of the funded options are right for them. 

From 1 July 2024 Pharmac are proposing the following products would be funded: 

• Freestyle Libre 2 (CGM) 

• Dexcom G6 (CGM) 

• Dexcom G7 (CGM) 

• Dexcom One Plus (CGM) 

• Tandem t:slim x2 with Basal-IQ or Control-IQ (insulin pump, algorithm, and consumables) 

• the eligibility criteria for insulin pumps and consumables would be simplified; and 

• the maximum funded quantity of insulin pump consumable packs (infusion sets, cartridges and reservoirs) would increase from 13 to 19 packs per year to accommodate those who require more frequent infusion set changes or who have higher insulin requirements. 

  From 1 October 2024 the following products would be funded: 

• an Abbott branded insulin pump compatible CGM (CGM) (Distributed by Mediray) 

• mylife YpsoPump with CamAPS FX (insulin pump, algorithm, and consumables) 

For people currently receiving the MiniMed 770G pump

From 1 October 2024 the MiniMed 770G pump would no longer be funded for new patients. 

From 1 July 2025, the range of consumables associated with the MiniMed 770G would no longer be funded. There would be a 12 month transition period from the proposed 1 July 2024 implementation date to ensure that there is sufficient time and resource to support this change and allow people to consider which of the funded options are right for them. 

Pharmac need to hear from you. 

Your voice will help to inform the final decision they make. They are particularly interested to hear feedback on: 

• activities to support current users of the MiniMed 770G insulin pump to move to another funded brand of insulin pump 

• what we could do to ensure Māori, Pacific peoples, and those with a disability are supported 

• what additional support would be needed to assist patients and health care professionals with this proposal.  

What happens after the consultation? 

Pharmac will carefully consider all pieces of consultation feedback and make any necessary changes to the funding proposal.  

The Pharmac Board will then consider all consultation feedback, along with the proposal, and decide on the outcome. 

When the decision is made, Pharmac will notify the public and health sector of the outcome. If approved, Pharmac will work with the health sector and the community to make sure that people who want to use CGMs, insulin pumps, and automated insulin delivery (AID) systems can do so. 

The final funding decision will depend on the feedback they receive and consideration of their fixed budget.