England's NHS Rolls Out Prescription CGMs for Patients With T1D

Patients living with type 1 diabetes (T1D) who have coverage under England's National Health Service (NHS) will now be eligible to receive continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) after the health care system secured a new cost-effective deal with Dexcom.

Typically more expensive than flash monitors, according to a news release from the NHS, this deal will make prescription CGMs available at a similar price to flash monitors.

The Dexcom ONE real-time Continuous Glucose Monitoring System measures glucose levels from just under the skin via a sensor that attaches to the arm for up to 10 days. It sends the collected information to a mobile app, allowing users to track their glucose levels at any time without using a scanner or finger prick test.

As of August 1 and after obtaining a prescription, eligible patients can receive a start pack consisting of product and usage details, a sensor, and a transmitter from a hospital or primary care physician, and refill their prescription at their pharmacy.

The CGM is available via the NHS England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland drug tariff to patients living with T1D or type 2 diabetes who use insulin. According to the release, this is the first time a real-time CGM that does not utilize scanning or finger pricks will be available to people with T1D at the pharmacy level.

“This is a huge step forward for T1D care, and these monitors will be life-changing for anyone with the illness—giving them more choice to manage their condition in the most convenient way possible—as well as the best chance at living healthier lives, reducing their risk of hospitalisation and illnesses associated with diabetes, which in turn reduces pressure on wider NHS services,” said Partha Kar, MD, national specialty advisor for diabetes and obesity at the NHS.

This deal follows news of England's NHS greatly surpassing its original Long Term Plan goal of 20% of patients with T1D having access to flash monitors by March 2021. Recent data show nearly 60% of patients have the proper access.

“This is an excellent example of how technology can help people manage their long-term conditions from the comfort of their own homes, reducing pressure on the NHS and improving health outcomes for patients,” added James Morris, minister for primary care and patient safety/parliamentary under secretary of state. “We’re determined to harness the latest technology to improve health care across the country.”