Central PA Medicine Summer 2021 - 21

dauphincms.org
anticipating the impact of long hours, high
stress and constantly changing schedule on
my glycemic control.
I transitioned to the t:slim X2 insulin
pump with Control-IQ hybrid closed loop
technology coupled with Dexcom G6 CGM
based on the efficacy and safety of this system
demonstrated in the Six-Month Randomized,
Multicenter Trial of Closed-Loop Control
in Type 1 Diabetes. The hybrid closed loop
system has features, including automatic
insulin adjustments, correction boluses and
activity settings, that have been absolute
game changers for me. I can sleep more
comfortably knowing that the Control-IQ
algorithm will decrease my basal rate and alert
me if I am trending towards hypoglycemia.
When rounding in the hospital I can glance
at my pump and instantly see my blood
glucose, alleviating the stress of not knowing
and allowing me to focus on the care of my
patients rather than worrying about my own
blood glucose.
I am grateful for all of the therapeutic and
technological advances since the discovery of
insulin. We have come so far since 1921 but
we still have many challenges to overcome
moving forward.
Insulin Today
Banting ultimately sold his patent for
insulin for $1 because " Insulin does not
belong to me; it belongs to the world. "
Unfortunately, the cost of insulin has
increased substantially in recent years-the
average price of insulin has nearly tripled
since 2002, according to the American
Diabetes Association. Patients' out of pocket
costs are typically based on list price so our
expenses have risen substantially. The factors
responsible for this price increase are unclear.
I am fortunate that I have had the financial
means of affording insulin and diabetes
supplies. Other diabetics are not so fortunate
and pay the price with their lives.
Fortunately, the ADA, the Endocrine Society,
JDRF, and others continue to advocate
for patients with diabetes to create reform to
reduce costs and improve the affordability and
accessibility of insulin and diabetes supplies.
Online resources such as insulinhelp.org and
getinsulin.org can help patients find affordable
insulin and I encourage physicians to share
this information with diabetic patients.
I am optimistic that near term therapeutic
advances involving " smart " insulins, advanced
insulin delivery systems, closed loop systems
and artificial pancreases will improve the lives
of diabetic patients. My hope is that by 2121
we will be celebrating the anniversary of the
cure for type 1 diabetes.
This piece represents the views and opinions
of the author and does not necessarily reflect
the views or opinions of the author's place of
employment.
Central PA Medicine Summer 2021 21
http://www.dauphincms.org http://www.insulinhelp.org http://www.getinsulin.org
Central PA Medicine Summer 2021

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