The Maltese Diabetes Association has been conducting lengthy discussions with the Department of Health on the subject insulin pens versus insulin syringes, since the introduction of the new insulin Glargin (Lantus) and Aspart (Novo Rapid).
The issue dates back to April 2006 when the new insulin was included in the list of free medicine supplied to Diabetics. For some unknown reason the tender was issued for phials instead of cartridges and patients who had been used to injecting with the insulin pen had to start using the syringe once again.
It is a well known fact that the syringe has many negative connotations besides being more cumbersome, whilst the insulin pen is easier to use and much more discreet.
In December 2007, I was informed by the Department of Health that the change to cartridges was imminent. However the situation remained unchanged until June 2009 when Glargin and Aspart cartridges were introduced, however only for children under 16 years of age. We have now entered a new phase – discriminating by age. Why not exhaust all stocks of phials and then start distributing the cartridges to all patients?
Teenagers, young adults and older patients are enduring great hardships due to the use of the syringe. Recently one of our members – a 19-year-old youth – was stopped at a road block and he was nearly taken in for questioning because he had a syringe in the car (used to inject the Glargin). The prompt intervention of a policeman on duty saved the day, because he recognised the syringe as one used for insulin.
It is no joke to inject four or five times daily all we ask for is to be provided with the tools to make life that little bit easier.
Anna Zammit McKeon
President,
Maltese Diabetes Association
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