The easy-to-use rt-CGM system will be available on prescription for everyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes using insulin via the NHS England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland drug tariff.
According to a news release, the launch of Dexcom One rt-CGM marks the first time such a device — which requires no scanning and no finger pricks — will be available to people with diabetes at the pharmacy level.
Dexcom initially made its Dexcom One UK launch in April but said the platform was under review to be added to drug tariffs across the UK regions. The company expected availability within a month, but it eventually came in August.
“The addition of Dexcom One to the NHS England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland drug tariff is enormous progress towards improving choice of diabetes tech, providing an alternative to burdensome finger pricks and scanning,” Karen Baxter, Dexcom VP, UK & Ireland, Benelux, France and Spain, said in the release. “We are incredibly proud of the diabetes community and are working hard to make it easier for them to access the best technology possible to manage their diabetes. As a next step, we will be working closely with healthcare professionals to ensure the diabetes community can benefit as quickly as possible from reimbursement and wider availability of Dexcom CGM.”
As of yesterday, patients will receive their starter pack, consisting of information on the product and usage, a sensor and transmitter, from the hospital or GP surgery once prescribed. They can then go to the pharmacy for their repeat prescripiton.
The launch follows new guidelines from the National Institute for Care and Excellence (NICE) which recommends adults with type 1 diabetes should be offered a choice of glucose sensors, children should be offered rt-CGM and people with type 2 diabetes using insulin can be considered for rt-CGM as an alternative to their current sensor.
Dexcom One continuously monitors glucose levels in real-time, sending values wirelessly to a compatible smart device through the app or receiver, which then display trend arrows to show the speed and direction that glucose levels are heading. It also has a range of customizable alerts and access to Dexcom Clarity data management software to provide remote data sharing with HCPs.
“The next step in the evolution of type 1 diabetes technology continues to unfold and at NHS England, we are thrilled to be part of the solution,” said National NHS Specialty Adviser for Diabetes Professor Partha Kar. “With Dexcom One on prescription, more people will have access to potentially life changing CGM technology, leading to better health outcomes and more choice for people with diabetes.”
