Plea to change age limit on new diabetes glucose test
Sligo diabetic patients were at Dáil Eireann last week backing a petition of 20,000 calling on the HSE to remove an age barrier to access what has been described as a life changing glucose monitor for people with type 1 diabetes.
Sligo men Donal Gilroy and Donal Conway were amongst those who presented the petition to TDs.
There are approximately 20,000 people with type 1 diabetes in Ireland. and 2,750 children.
With the current restrictions on the reimbursement scheme only a small percentage of those children will be included and 17,000 adults with type 1 diabetes completely excluded because of their age from access to the new glucose sensing technology.
The 20,000 adults with diabetes Type 1 are seeking equal treatment with younger patients for the reimbursement of the Abbot manufactured Freestyle Libre 4 - a revolutionary glucose sensing technology which allows patients to monitor their condition without the pain and hassle of routine finger pricks.
Since April 3rd last, the HSE has made the Freestyle Libre available only to children and young adults with Type 1 diabetes aged between 4 and 21 years.
Gráinne Flynn, one of the campaign leaders stated: “The Freestyle Libre provides more information than a finger prick meter about glucose levels to base our insulin dosing decisions on. This is more than just a game changer in diabetes, it empowers us to manage our diabetes better, reducing the number of dangerous low and high glucose levels.
“What frustrates me so much is that the HSE seems to have based its decision not on clinical evidence of improved quality of life but on cost saving reasons, indicating that, anyone with type 1 diabetes over age 21 is not worth investing €62.60 per year.”
All other countries who have reimbursed the Freestyle Libre system have made this life changing technology available to people with diabetes based on clinical need.
Ireland is the only country who has placed an overarching restriction of age for 4 – 21 years and within this age group there are further restrictions for this cohort to access this technology,” she said.
Donal Gilroy, a self-employed Energy Assessor from Sligo has been living with type 1 diabetes for 35 years, said: “I didn’t realise that I was having dangerous low blood glucose levels every night at about 3am until I started using the Libre.
“I rarely woke during these and my long-term health was affected. Once we discovered them myself and my consultant had a fuller picture of how my diabetes was being managed and we were able to address and eliminate the problems.
“I feel my health has improved significantly since using the Libre.
“Things, like not having to finger prick eight times a day, not constantly having sore fingers has improved the quality of my day to day life,” said Donal.
Grainne added: “All we are seeking, is the opportunity for our Consultant Endocrinologists to be able to make a decision based on clinical need to prescribe the Libre to patients they feel need it most, regardless of age.
“It’s not a lot to ask.”