Diabetes Canada is pleased that Health Canada has taken action to support the 300,000 Canadians living with type 1 diabetes by expanding access and choice of treatment through the licensing of the first self-adjusting insulin pump -- the Medtronic MiniMedTM 670G hybrid closed-loop insulin delivery system.
Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition that causes the body not to produce insulin. It is also a life-threatening chronic disease. Frequent monitoring of blood glucose levels throughout the day is required by a person with type 1 diabetes to ensure safe glucose levels are maintained throughout the day and night. Insulin pumps are an alternative technology to multiple daily injections of insulin. Through this innovative technology a self-adjusting insulin pump is now available in Canada.
It is important that people with diabetes who desire an insulin delivery system to help manage their type 1 diabetes are able to acquire the device that best suits their individual health needs. Diabetes Canada will continue to advocate on behalf of Canadians with all types of diabetes to have equal, timely and quality care, including medications, devices and supplies to manage their diabetes which is essential to achieving improved health outcomes.