YDA Response to Government’s Reply on Subsidising Continuous Glucose Monitors

YDA Response to Government’s Reply on Subsidising Continuous Glucose Monitors

17 July 2025

Youth Diabetes Action (YDA) expresses its deep disappointment following the Government’s recent response to the Hon Dr David Lam’s question in the Legislative Council meeting on 16 July 2025 regarding subsidies for continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) for people with Type 1 diabetes.

We acknowledge that the Hospital Authority currently provides CGMs free of charge to certain patients based on clinical criteria; however, this is only a very limited supply. The Government’s response ignores the critical differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that requires intensive insulin therapy and continuous glucose monitoring, unlike Type 2 diabetes, which generally involves different treatment approaches. These fundamental differences necessitate distinct considerations in healthcare policy and resource allocation.

“In 2024, there were over 658 000 patients with diabetes receiving care from the HA. On this basis, providing CGM with a two-week service lifespan to all diabetic patients continuously for the whole year would not only cause information overload of blood glucose readings to healthcare personnel, but also entail an additional expenditure of several billion dollars per annum.”

The discussion around CGM subsidies must recognise that people living with Type 1 diabetes have unique and more intensive management needs requiring continuous glucose monitoring for safe insulin therapy. Type 1 diabetes is fundamentally different from Type 2 diabetes and conflating both types—as the Government’s response appears to do—overlooks the significant challenges faced by people with Type 1 diabetes. CGMs has been clinically proven to improve glycaemic control, reduce hypo- and hyperglycaemic episodes, and prevent long-term complications. Early and sustained management leads to better health outcomes and can reduce costly healthcare expenditures in the future.

While the Government cites concerns about information overload and high costs associated with providing CGM devices to all people with diabetes continuously throughout the year, these concerns do not appropriately reflect the specific needs of people with Type 1 diabetes. Targeted subsidy support for this group can provide critical benefits without overwhelming healthcare resources or incurring unsustainable costs.

We also wish to highlight that the Government’s focus on the high upfront cost of providing CGMs overlooks the broader economic perspective. Data from research globally — including Singapore, UK and Australia — demonstrates that subsidising CGMs for people with Type 1 diabetes is likely to financially benefit the community over-time through improved glycaemic control, fewer hospital admissions, and reduced long-term complications.

YDA strongly urges the Government and Health Department to:

• Recognise the clear distinction between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in policy formulation.
• Expand access to CGMs for people with Type 1 diabetes beyond narrowly defined clinical criteria.
• Introduce dedicated subsidy schemes to alleviate the cost burden for low-income families.
• Continuously review and integrate diabetes technologies to support effective disease management and long-term health outcomes.

We call on policymakers to prioritise the health and well-being of people with Type 1 diabetes by implementing targeted support that delivers meaningful clinical and social benefits.

YDA remains committed to advocating for equitable access to essential diabetes technologies and looks forward to constructive engagement with the Government on this urgent issue.

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Summary of the Government response can be found here: https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202507/16/P2025071600591