False economics over diabetes injections

I am one of several insulin-dependent diabetics who on Saturday, January 5, turned up for a well-attended meeting organised by the Malta Diabetes Association at the Catholic Institute.

The topic, On The Action Of Insulin And Injection Techniques, was very ably addressed by the indefatigable Moira Grixti, arguably the greatest non-doctor asset at the Diabetes Clinic at Mater Dei Hospital.

It was indeed gratifying to see several attendees come out of their shells and take an active part in the proceedings.

One thing that hit me particularly was Mrs Grixti saying that no syringe should be used more than three times. But there is something seriously wrong somewhere.

The syringe wrapper itself says “single use syringe”. But the Health Department gives out only 10 syringes a month, ostensibly to be enough for three days of a single dose.

And what about those diabetics who have to take more than one dose a day?

I personally have to take three doses of insulin a day. That means that unless I go out and buy my own syringes, I have to use one of the free syringes for no less than nine times!

It has been gratifying to read that in its recent review of Schedule V the government has seen its way clear to allowing a restricted number of desperately-sick people very expensive medicines for free. Giving out the right number of syringes to patients who need multiple doses of insulin a day would cost peanuts in comparison.

A few years ago the Malta Diabetes Association managed to persuade the government to give diabetics under 40 free sticks to help them to regularly monitor their blood. But needles for regular monitoring should be changed every few days, if not daily. And some types are hellishly expensive.

How about a new push for more syringes to those who really need them? After all, it would be to help with a legitimate disease, quite unlike free syringes to avoid self-inflicted disease by drug addicts.