DIABETES MEDICATION
AND EQUIPMENT

  • It’s essential at this time to keep taking all usual medications and continue with your diabetes management as usual, unless otherwise advised by your health care professional.

  • Make sure you have one month's supply of insulin or diabetes oral medication.

  • If you are on a pump:

    • Ensure you have spare basal insulin available in case there is a pump failure

    • Ensure you have adequate pump consumable supplies

  • Anyone using a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) should also have a back-up blood glucose monitoring kit

  • If you are taking blood pressure medications such as ace inhibitors (ACEi) or angiotension receptor blockers (ARB)* do not stop taking it. For information on COVID-19 and heart medications see Heart Foundation’s advice here or contact your healthcare provider.

Accessing diabetes medication & equipment:

  • You should not allow medications to run out but there is no reason to stockpile insulin or other medications.

  • Pharmac and the Ministry of Health have advised that there are no current or anticipated shortages of insulin, diabetes supplies or medication (with the exception of Glucobay which is being dispensed in monthly lots).

  • The three suppliers of insulin and insulin pens in NZ (Sanofi, Novo Nordisk and Lilly) have all provided assurance that they are committed to continuing supply of insulin products and are not experiencing any supply constraints due to Covid-19.

  • The two major suppliers of insulin pumps for Medtronic pumps and T:Slim X2 pumps are continuing to operate and distribute supplies as usual.

  • Mediray is classed as an essential service and is continuing to provide FreeStyle Libre systems as usual. The Mediray technical support line remains open: 0800 106 100. Note ‘call in and pick up’ options are not available for now.

  • Pharmacies are classed as essential services and will be accessible at all levels of COVID-19 alert in NZ.