The Maltese Diabetes Association welcomes the announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health Chris Fearne that Continuous Glucose Monitoring Devices (CGMs) devices will now be extended for persons living with type 1 diabetes up to the age of 35 years through the government formulary.

“The Association has always praised the pilot project initiated a few years ago and this further rollout is definitely a step in the right direction”, stated the Maltese Diabetes Association. The Ministry also announced that the project will be extended further for persons living with type 1 diabetes up to the age of 45 years by mid-2024.

“This further roll out is very promising however this means that such persons will have to wait several months to avail themselves of a CGM. Furthermore, people living with type 1 diabetes over the age of 45 years are still uncertain and unaware when they will be availing themselves of a CGM”, the Association stated.

“Our members and persons living with type 1 diabetes who are still not availing themselves of a CGM are struggling financially to finance such a device from their own pockets which on average costs around €300 each month, depending on the CGM device. There are also persons who feel frustrated as they cannot afford such a device and are being deprived of this important and innovative equipment to manage and better control their diabetes” the Association said. “Age should not be the determining factor whether one gets a CGM or not. The Association welcomes the further rollout however it urges the health authorities to ensure that the roll out continues for all persons living with type 1 diabetes, irrespective of age, as soon as possible,” the association concluded.