Angry diabetics reject changes

Diabetics have reacted angrily to a proposal for a new testing system, and turned out in force to voice concerns at Pharmac consultation meetings.

Pharmac is considering new funding arrangements for several diabetes management products, including switching to new diabetes blood glucose meters and test strips.

Pharmac has said it estimates it would save $10 million a year by changing to a new brand of meters, but diabetics are not happy with the proposal.

Pharmac spokesman Simon England stressed that it was not a done deal, and the community's views would be taken into account as final decisions were made over the next two months.