New Brunswick insulin pump program expands to 18-25 age group

Young people with Type 1 diabetes in New Brunswick will now have better access to care.

The province is extending its coverage to access funding for insulin pumps and related supplies to the 18-to-25 age group.

“We are going to extend covering it up until from 18 years old to 25 years old so that I think is a step in the right direction,” Benoit Bourque, New Brunswick’s health minister announced on Monday in Moncton.

He said the province will now cover at least part of the cost for pumps and supplies for people with Type 1 diabetes up to the age of 25.

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Starting in April, the province will spend $300,000 a year to help patients pay for the $7,000 pump and associated supplies.

Jake Reid from Diabetes Canada says the supplies alone can cost up to $300 a month.

“The cost of the pump and the ongoing supplies are quite expensive and this will be helpful for families. It can mean the difference of getting an insulin pump and not having one,” said Reid.

But Reid says the province does need to step up its investment into prevention and care for the more-than-90,000 New Brunswickers with diabetes.

He said other provinces in Canada cover the cost for insulin pumps and supplies for all age groups and this expanded program will only support a small portion of the 4,000 people in the province with Type 1 diabetes. He added it does little to help the more-than-80,000 people in this province with Type 2 diabetes.

Reid says that New Brunswick has among the worst coverage in the country for equipment such as test strips and foot care.

“We have a comprehensive diabetes strategy in the province, a couple of million dollars, but we need to at least double that to look at test strips and foot care,” said Reid.

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According to communications officer Paul Bradley, the Department of Social Development covers blood glucose test strips for clients with a social development health card, and foot care for both diabetics and non-diabetics are also covered with appropriate documentation.

But Bourque would not commit to that funding at this time.

“I am not in a position to comment or commit to any of that right now. What I can commit is, we want to make sure that I have stronger initiatives regarding the diabetes strategy and we are looking at every aspect of it,” Bourque said.