LIVINGLIVING
Editor's comment
The point of the Animas-Medtronic
partnership is to provide a safety net for
Animas' customers. Animas is not leaving
them in the lurch by withdrawing suddenly
and completely. While Medtronic has
been asked to step into the breach, the
fact that it's probably the biggest supplier
of insulin pumps in the UK and the oldest
insulin pump suppliers in the world, so
can be seen as a safe pair of hands.
Right now, the best advice for Animas
users is to carry on as normal. So much
so that apparently some HCPs are saying,
'If we can get you an Animas pump, then
go on it,' so new users are still joining the
ranks. There will be a point when you will
have to move away from Animas, but
you will not have to do that before your
warranty runs out (all pumps in the UK
have a four-year warranty, so you can
choose the best pump for you four years
after your last pump change).
No one likes being forced to change
anything, but rest assured that only those
whose warranties are coming to an end
soon have anything to think about for now.
Conversations about pump changes will
happen as per normal, and there's more
choice now than when your last decision
was made despite Animas exiting.
It has been recommended that
anyone using any Lifescan, Dexcom or
Diasend products continue to do so but
talk to their HCP for advice on changing
blood test meter, CGM or pump systems.
Notably, many Animas users also use
Dexcom's CGM system. Those keen to
keep using Dexcom may want to look at
insulin pumps that are wired up to receive
Dexcom's data, such as the Omnipod. As
of this year, Insulet Corp, the company
behind Omnipod, has a UK-based
sales force and support centre whereas
previously the pump was available via a
distributor, Ypsomed, the parent company
of which is based in Switzerland.
Gearing up to take over all Omnipod
users previously being looked after
by Ypsomed, which had the contract
for Europe for the past several years,
Omnipod is
becoming a
more viable
choice with
better price
comparisons
for CCGs than
in the past.
Once having
the reputation
of being 'too
expensive', the Omnipod - an actual
patch pump that uses an on-the-bodypod, is gaining ground
now that it is more
price-competitive for Trusts who are
funding pumps
within the NHS.
Both originally
US-based
companies,
Insulet
Omnipod has a
long association
of working
with Dexcom.
Dexcom's latest
CGM model
works with
smartphones,
the app for which can be configured to
alert the user to oncoming high or low
blood sugars.
Medtronic's 640g pump works with
the company's own Enlite CGM. Together
these technologies enable another one
that's onboard: SmartGuard. This means
that when the sensor indicates that a low
blood sugar seems imminent, the pump
can be programmed to automatically
suspend insulin delivery at a preset level
thus, in many cases, avoiding a hypo.
- Sue Marshall, Editor
CLICK on the issue covers to
see Issue 80 - Insulin pump
overview, and Issue 82 -
CGM sensor overview.
Dexcom UK
www.dexcom.com/en-gb
Omnipod Europe
www.omnipodeurope.com
Medtronic UK
www.medtronic-diabetes.co.uk
Medtronic's pump choice hub
www.mypumpchoice.co.uk
Roche Accu-Chek Infusion
www.accu-chek.co.uk/infusion
Input (see pump comparision
chart) www.input.co.uk
RESOURCES
to put their patients on to them while
they are still available. Anyone newly on
an Animas pump, or just about to go
on one, will just have to reconsider their
options in four year's time, at the end of
the current pump's warranty, like anyone
else on a pump in the UK. Obviously, at
that point an Animas pump will no longer
be an option.
Animas will continue in the UK and
Ireland with Customer Support staff
remaining to oversee and assist with this
transition period, but trainers and sales
personnel have, where possible, been
relocated within the parent company.
Both companies emphasize that
seamlessness is the main intention in
order to minimize any concerns that
Animas pump users may be feeling about
the changes. The pump choice still lies
with the patient and their HCP.
There is a specific Medtronic-Animas
webpage with more information:
www.medtronic-diabetes.co.uk