BURNABY, British Columbia – (BUSINESS WIRE) – Dexcom, Inc. (NASDAQ: DXCM), a leader in real-time continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), announced today that people with diabetes who are two years or older and are receiving intensive insulin therapy may now be Entitled to BC PharmaCare provincial coverage of the Dexcom G6 CGM system. This expansion of coverage is in line with Dexcom’s mission to make it easier for people with diabetes to take advantage of the benefits of using a CGM system for their diabetes management.
“Improved access to CGM technology improves diabetes management for everyone in a patient’s care circle. As an endocrinologist and medical director of a clinic specializing in diabetes, I am grateful that today’s announcement will benefit so many people in the province, ”said Dr. Tom Elliott ‡, BC Diabetes Medical Director. CGM results in better glycemic control of patients1,2 and gives clinicians better insight into patients’ blood sugar levels to make treatment decisions. Using CGM can result in fewer trips to the emergency room by helping users avoid major hypoglycemic episodes. 4
British Columbia joins Yukon, Quebec and Saskatchewan to offer public coverage of CGM systems as part of the provincial health plans. In addition, Prince Edward Island and Manitoba recently announced plans for funding based on their budget platforms in 2021. For coverage in BC, patients must meet coverage criteria, be enrolled in eligible PharmaCare plans, and meet all deductible requirements. Today’s announcement marks a significant achievement in improving access to life-changing technologies for the treatment of diabetes and recognizes the impact of CGM technology on those in need of intensive insulin therapy to manage their type 2 diabetes, as well as those who who live with type 1 diabetes.
“As a British Columbia-based company, we’re excited about today’s announcement and the province’s commitment to the diabetes community,” said Laura Endres, vice president and general manager, Dexcom Canada. “We have seen the impact of increasing access to CGM truly transforming lives, and we look forward to continuing our work on access for all with diabetes across Canada.”
The Dexcom G6 CGM System includes a small portable sensor that measures glucose just under the skin; a transmitter to continuously and wirelessly transmit glucose levels to a display device; and a compatible smart device * or receiver that shows users real-time glucose data without the need for fingertips or scanning. And with real-time alerts, including a predictive “Urgent Low Soon” alert, the Dexcom G6 can warn the user in advance of hypoglycemia – giving time to take appropriate action before it occurs – day or night. As part of the BC PharmaCare coverage program, users can now collect their Dexcom CGM supplies through a participating local pharmacy.
For more information on BC PharmaCare’s coverage criteria, please visit https://www.dexcom.com/en-CA/public-coverage and the BC PharmaCare Diabetes Supplies website.
About Dexcom, Inc.
Dexcom, Inc. enables people to control diabetes through innovative continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems. Headquartered in San Diego, California, USA, and with offices in Canada, Dexcom has grown to become a leading provider of technology for diabetes care. By addressing the needs of users, caregivers and providers, Dexcom simplifies and improves diabetes management around the world. For more information on Dexcom CGM, please visit www.dexcom.com.
† If your G6 glucose warnings and readings do not match symptoms or expectations, use a blood glucose meter to help you make diabetes management decisions.
* Please visit dexcom.com/compatibility for a list of compatible devices
‡ Dr. Tom Elliott was not compensated for any media work. He was a paid speaker for Dexcom Canada, Co.
References
1 RW Beck, T. Riddlesworth, K. Ruedy et al. Effect of Continuous Glucose Monitoring on Glycemic Control in Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Using Insulin Injections: The DIAMOND Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 2017; 317 (4): 371-8.
2 Welsh JB, Gao P, Derdzinski M, et al. Accuracy, usage and effectiveness comparisons of different systems for continuous glucose monitoring. Diabetes Technol Ther 2019; 21 (3): 128-32.
3 Roze S, Isitt J, Smith-Palmer J, Lynch P. Evaluating the long-term cost-effectiveness of the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor compared to blood glucose self-monitoring in people with type 1 diabetes in Canada. Poster presentation presented at: 2020 Canadian Association for Population Therapeutics; October 27, 2020.
4 Mulinacci G, Alonso GT, Snell-Bergeon JK, Shah VN. Glycemic Results with Early Adoption of a Continuous Glucose Monitoring System in Recently Diagnosed Patients with Type 1 Diabetes. Diabetes Technol Ther 2019; 21 (1): 6-10.
