People of Indian origin are among the high prevalence groups for diabetes in New Zealand and the Indian community is being asked to help people with the disease respond to changes in their blood glucose meters.
Three new, fully-funded meters are now available and everyone with diabetes is being encouraged to take full advantage of a wide range of information and training available to help them make the change.
‘Pharmac,’ the government’s drug funding agency, began funding the meters and test strips from the CareSens range in September last year.
Change devise
From March 1, 2013, only CareSens range of blood glucose meters and testing strips will be funded in New Zealand. For most people who use a blood glucose meter, this means changing to a new meter.
Chief executive Steffan Crausaz said that Pharmac was working hard to ensure that everyone is getting the information needed to be confident with their new meter.
“We encourage family and friends of people with diabetes to ensure that those close to them are fully informed, and are aware of the support that is available,” he said.
He said that information and support is being provided to meter users and health professionals to help the transition during the lengthy phase-in period,
“It is important that people have their new meters and new test strips, and are confident about using them before their old test strips run out,” Mr Crausaz said.
Guidance to people
As a part of the efforts to ensure people with diabetes are fully informed, a series of events called ‘Meet Your Meter’ are being held in communities around the country.
The meetings give people a chance to choose which of the three funded meters suits them best, and learn about using the meters.
“We invite people to meet our team and discuss about their new meter. Our sessions are about 45-minues duration,” Mr Crausaz said.
“The change will free up $10 million in funding each year for Pharmac to invest in other medicines for New Zealanders,” he added.
Pharmaco, the supplier of the meters, is visiting health centres and pharmacies around New Zealand providing information and training so that doctors, nurses and pharmacists are well placed to help patients.
For details, please call 0800-344899 or 0800-458-2673
For online details, please visit www.pharmac.govt.nz; and www.caresens.co.nz;
A Pharmac Press Release
