It has been almost a year since the federal government announced that it would establish a Diabetes Device Fund to make devices and supplies for managing diabetes more accessible.
Canadians with diabetes are still waiting.
It is time to end the wait. The fund has the potential to transform diabetes care in Canada, making it crucial that the federal government act now to set up the fund.
Over four-million Canadians have been diagnosed with diabetes. Living with the chronic condition comes with significant health and financial challenges.
To prevent or delay serious health complications, people with diabetes need timely access to proper medications, supplies and devices — including continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) and insulin pumps — to help them manage the condition.
Yet, the costs to access diabetes management tools are substantial. The out-of-pocket costs for people with type 1 diabetes can be as high as $18,306 per year in certain parts of Canada. For those with type 2 diabetes, the annual costs can be as high as $10,014.
While provincial and territorial public health plans might fully or partially cover some devices and supplies, there are often eligibility restrictions and dollar caps.
Coverage also varies significantly from province to province, resulting in inequitable access across the country.
Those who live in jurisdictions without coverage or with limited coverage have to shoulder the costs themselves. While private health insurance can defray costs, for those without private coverage, devices can be unaffordable.
That is why the federal fund is vital. By providing funding to cover the costs of tools such as CGMs, insulin pumps, lancets, test strips and blood glucose meters, the fund can help alleviate the financial burden weighing on those living with diabetes and eliminate regional inequities in access.
Make no mistake. Diabetes management tools are not frivolous accessories. CGMs and insulin pumps have long been recognized as game-changing diabetes management tools.
By providing real-time glucose data and seamless insulin delivery, these devices empower people to manage their condition and help prevent complications like diabetic ketoacidosis, heart disease and other chronic conditions.
Research has shown that people who regularly monitor their glucose levels and use insulin pumps or CGMs experience fewer hospitalizations and emergency room visits – making them important tools for helping to ease financial pressure on Canada’s healthcare system.
Stable glucose levels also translate to better sleep, increased energy and a greater sense of personal agency — a stark contrast to the constant highs and lows people too often experience without these tools.
For people managing diabetes, these outcomes are not just health statistics, but life-changing realities.
The device fund symbolizes more than just financial support, though — it is an investment in the future of Canada’s collective health and prosperity.
For those diagnosed with diabetes, access to reliable monitoring systems means fewer days lost to illness, improved mental health and an overall better quality of life. It marks a shift towards proactive care rather than costly, reactive treatment.
The fund can promote patient-centred care by offering access to devices suited to individual needs — finding the right device often depends on a person’s lifestyle and budget.
When the federal government announced the fund last February — at the same time it tabled legislation to establish a national pharmacare plan covering diabetes and contraceptive medications — people living in Canada with diabetes cheered it as a way to address the significant financial and health challenges they face.
They are now getting discouraged. The federal government has not indicated when it will set up the fund, how much it will contribute to it or what it will cover — will it include only the basics or will it also cover maintenance costs like replacement sensors, batteries and other associated expenses?
The federal delay has also stalled efforts to get provinces and territories to reduce or eliminate coverage restrictions or caps or to standardize their coverage as they wait to hear what Ottawa is doing.
We need to move towards a future where no one in Canada struggles to afford the tools they need to manage their chronic condition. The Diabetes Device Fund is an important step in this direction.
It is time for the federal government to allocate money for the fund and get it up and running.
Canadians with diabetes have already waited too long.
Photo courtesy of DespositPhotos
