More than 10,000 signatures have been collected on the “Manabalss.lv” initiative portal to cover the cost of glucose monitoring sensors for patients with type 1 diabetes. This means that the initiative will be submitted to the Saeima for consideration, Latvian Television reported on 8th February.
Currently in Latvia, continuous glucose monitoring sensors are reimbursed only for children and young people up to 18 years of age, while insulin pumps are reimbursed up to 24 years of age. Diabetes patients believe that the age limit does not meet patients’ medical needs, as the need for these technologies persists even later in life.
“We submitted this initiative for the second time. The previous initiative regarding reimbursement for glucose sensors and insulin pumps was two years ago. Following that initiative, these devices are reimbursed only for pregnant women and people who have undergone pancreatic resection. I want to ensure that these technologies are available to absolutely all patients with type 1 diabetes. And I want this to be reconsidered. I myself have had type 1 diabetes since I was 17. That’s been about nine years, and these devices are quite expensive. That’s what prompted me to launch this initiative,” said the initiative’s author, Annija Roga.
One glucose sensor costs about 50 euros and lasts approximately 14 days, which amounts to about 100 euros per month or roughly 1,200 euros per year per patient.
The initiative’s authors believe that treating diabetes complications costs the state significantly more. For example, treating kidney failure with dialysis can cost around 30,000–50,000 euros per year per patient, while amputations and other severe complications require long-term treatment and rehabilitation.
Approximately 7,000 people in Latvia live with type 1 diabetes, and in many European countries, these technologies are already provided with state support to all patients who need them.
The authors of the initiative believe that these devices should also be provided to all patients in Latvia without age restrictions. It is proposed to gradually expand the state reimbursement system, ensuring access to these technologies for all patients for whom they have been prescribed by a doctor.
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