Insulet’s Omnipod nabs preferred insulin pump status in British Columbia

Insulet (NSDQ:PODD) said today that its Omnipod device was selected as the preferred insulin pump in British Columbia, Canada under the province’s expanded PharmaCare insulin pump program.

According to the terms of the program, any eligible individual who requests an initial or replacement insulin pump will receive coverage for the Billerica, Mass.-based company’s device.

There are approximately 18,300 people with Type I diabetes in British Columbia, Insulet reported, and 25% of them use an insulin pump to manage their insulin dosing regimen.

“We are thrilled with the British Columbia Ministry of Health’s decision to select Omnipod as its preferred insulin pump,” Bret Christensen, Insulet’s chief commercial officer, said in prepared remarks. “Access to appropriate technology is paramount for people living with diabetes and is a key priority for Insulet.”

“This is a great development for British Columbians living with diabetes,” Dr. Tom Elliott, a clinical associate professor at UBC, added. “With the expansion of coverage beyond age 25, every individual on intensive insulin therapy meeting the medical criteria is now eligible for pump coverage. In my practice alone, that means over 800 additional patients are now able to access insulin pump therapy.”

Also this week, Insulet assumed direct commercial operations in Europe for its Omnipod device.

The company first announced it would part ways with its former European distributor, Ypsomed, in July last year. Insulet has since established a team of more than 100 employees to take care of distributing and selling its Omnipod system in Europe, the company reported

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