Document 1
From:
Oliver Whitehead
To:
Amanda Smith
Subject:
Ministerial Briefing on CGMs
Date:
Tuesday, 14 May 2024 12:04:00 pm
Attachments:
Update on Pharmac’s funding proposal for continuous glucose monitors and related products.pdf
Hi Amanda,
Please find attached a briefing from Pharmac regarding the proposal to fund continuous glucose
monitors. As advised officials are available to discuss either with the office or the Minister. Can
you please advise when/if this briefing is passed on to Minister Reti as we will follow-up with
their press secretary.
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Oliver
Oliver Whitehead | Team Leader Government Services
Act
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Pharmac - Te Pātaka Whaioranga | Level 9, 40 Mercer Street, Wellington
www.pharmac.govt.nz
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Document
From: Oliver Whitehead
Sent: Tuesday, May 21, 2024 11:31 AM
To: Amanda Smith <[email address]>
Subject: Additional information on CGM consultation outcome
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Hi Amanda,
Act
Please find attached our updated information relating to the CGM consultation outcome and the
decision to delay implementation to after 1 July 2024.
If your office would like any further information let me know.
Kind regards,
Oliver
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Oliver Whitehead | Team Leader Government Services
___________________________________________________________________
Pharmac - Te Pātaka Whaioranga | Level 9, 40 Mercer Street, Wellington
www.pharmac.govt.nz
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Document 4
Request from Minister’s Office
We have returned from the Minister’s Of ice and discussed the CGM announcement, the
Minister’s Office is seeking more information on what are the issues that are driving the
delay.
The Minister’s Of ice is also seeking information on what we require from other
government agencies and may consult their colleagues to ensure we get accurate and
timely information.
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Background
Pharmac received approximately 1200 individual submissions, including a petition with
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9,000 signatures.
The delay in progressing the proposal for the funding of CGM’s and Insulin Pumps and
consumables to a Pharmac board decision (originally planned for May Board with an
anticipated funding implementation date of 1 July) is being driven by several key factors:
Existing funding pathways through other government agencies:
Pharmac has identified several existing funding pathways by which people with Type 1
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diabetes have been able to obtain a level of funding towards the cost of diabetes
technology (primarily CGM’s). The intent of current activities in this area is to establish
the quantum of this funding and work with these agencies to ensure that a transition
process is developed to minimise the impact on those currently receiving funding who
may not immediately benefit from the planned Pharmac process.
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Health New Zealand – It has been established that since July 2023 with a
change in criteria that Health NZ has been providing partial funding through its
Carer Support program for diabetes technology, Pharmac staff are currently
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engaged with the responsible Health NZ personnel to establish the extent of
current funding and the details associated, we expect to receive the requested
data within the next couple of weeks.
•
Ministry of Disabled People (Whaikaha) – This agency has historically been
providing a level of funding through its Carer Support benefit to enable the
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purchase of diabetes technology, however from March this year (2024) this
funding has been largely disestablished. Pharmac staff are currently working with
those responsible at this ministry to quantify the current situation.
•
Ministry of Social Development (WINZ) – Pharmac Staff are planning to meet
shortly with the appropriate staff at MSD to understand the level of funding for
Diabetes Technology facilitated through its Child Disability Al owance.
Following the initial fact-finding phase with these agencies we wil work constructively
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with them to ensure a funding transition process which minimises the impact on those
people affected.
Usability of the various products included in the proposal and relevance to the
population
Document 4
Pharmac needs to work through the many items identified through the consultation that
involve the end user experience and usability of the diabetes technology devices
proposed as part of the solution.
In order to achieve this, we will need to work with a number of relevant stakeholders to
clarify aspects that have been raised.
These include:
•
Contracted suppliers – we need to work closely with the contracted suppliers 1982
(3) to clarify certain aspects of device performance and usability for which
concerns have been raised, as well as confirm details regarding implementation
and associated educational support. We also need to consult with these
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suppliers regarding aspects of the proposed transition period.
•
Non-Contracted suppliers – we need to understand the impact for the
unsuccessful suppliers and how they wil support the people currently using their
products as well as assisting in a smooth transition process.
•
Clinical Stakeholders -Secondary Care – Pharmac needs to consult with its
Diabetes Advisory Committee to receive advice on a number of issues raised
through the consultation phase.
• Pharmac wil also be working with the New Zealand Scientific Study of Diabetes
(NZSSD) clinician group who represent clinicians across the country managing
people with diabetes.
This will involve clarifying certain clinical issues raised
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through the consultation process and working to develop implementation
activities to ensure a successful roll-out through the wider health sector.
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Clinical Stakeholders – Primary Care – As a significant proportion the
workload onboarding patients to the CGM technology wil fall on the primary
health sector, Pharmac is working with key representatives in this area to ensure
implementation and educational activities are coordinated.
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Consumer Groups – Pharmac is working closely with Diabetes New Zealand
(DNZ) as the primary consumer organisation representing people with diabetes
to ensure the issues raised by consumers in the consultation can be addressed
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in the most appropriate manner.
•
Ministry of Education –Pharmac wil need to liaise with this agency to ensure
that children are able to use their diabetes technology (including phones) in the
classroom environment.
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While the identified entities represent the main stakeholders that Pharmac needs to work
with in the coming period to address the remaining issues, this is not an exhaustive list
and it is likely that others wil also need to be consulted with as part of the process to
bring the proposal to the board decision phase. At this stage we believe that we do not
need any additional support in order to progress the identified work items, however we
wil certainly reach out if we encounter any significant obstacles.
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