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Quinte Insulin Pumpers- Minutes of the group meeting, September 17, 2003 |
Quinte Insulin Pumpers- Minutes of the group meeting, September 17, 2003
On Wednesday, September 17, 2003, approximately 22 persons gathered at Holy
Trinity Lutheran Church to discuss issues and to share information about insulin
pump therapy for diabetes.
DISETRONICS SUPPLIES
Chair Nancy Stafford read a correspondence from Disetronics representative, Dave
Goosens, explaining that he was unable to be present at our meeting as
planned. His firm is continuing to support Disetronic insulin pumps with all
necessary supplies. However, now that Canada Health and Welfare officials have
adopted the same policy as the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA),
Disetronic insulin pumps are no longer being imported. The company
expects that the problem will be resolved by the late spring of 2004. See
www.disetronic-usa.
com/ca-insulin-pumps-notice.html or Health Canada.
POLITICAL ACTION
Nancy informed us that all five candidates of Prince-Edward-Hastings riding in
the current provincial election campaign had been invited to attend to state
their party's policy on funding for insulin pumps. Only Jodie Jenkins of the
New Democratic Party (NDP) attended. Liberal Ernie Parsons, long a champion of
the insulin pumpers' concerns in Opposition in Queen's Park, Toronto, had said
that due to previous commitments, he would arrive late; it turned out that
he was not able to appear before our scheduled closing at 9:00pm. John
Williams, Progressive Conservative (PC), was unable to attend due to prior
commitments. There were no responses from the other candidates.
One member said that we need statements in writing that each platform of those
parties with the potential to form the next government includes support for
insulin pumps and supplies.
When approached to speak to our group, Jodie Jenkins, NDP, immediately contacted
CAUTION LETTER
Paradigm 511 wearers received a letter from the head office requesting that
Jill announced that Debbie Moffatt, Shoppers Drug Mart, Trenton will now have
To give the members a preview of products to come, Jill demonstrated the new
According to Debbie, " The Paradigm Link meter has the capability to interact
Lantus Insulin, a Basal insulin that lasts 24 hours with no peak, is approved
Those who currently use a Paradigm 511 will be contacted and asked if they would
In response to a question, the"STOP DELIVERY" message is a good thing because it
According to Louise Marinier, Insulin Pumpers Canada is a not-for-profit
Marlene MacGregor introduced guest speaker, nutrition expert, Joan Fielden,
If you go to http://www.dietbychoice.com you will be offered a
the provincial party policy headquarters for an official platform statement. He
said " If elected, the NDP would support the costs of insulin pumps and supplies
under OHIP." How soon? "Immediately after the election." Where will the money
come from? "A rollback of tax cuts to pre-1995 levels." To combat the current
doctor shortage, the NDP advocates "community health care centres" with salaried
personnel, rather than private practices for doctors. "Essential services
including medical services belong in the public domain," he believes. More
students would be accepted into medical schools. Doctors, including specialists
such as endocrinologists, would be recruited from other countries. For further
information contact Jodie Jenkins Campaign Office, 59 Dundas Street East, Unit
3, Belleville, ON K8N 1B7; Telephone 613 961 7495; Fax 613 961 7104;
e-mail
people using this model of pump not submerge their pump in water. Jill Milliken
was available to answer questions for the group regarding this correspondence
from Minimed.
PRODUCTS
the capability to download Medtronic Minimed 511's at her store.
Medtronic MiniMed 512 that comes in the colours blue, smoke, clear or purple,
with an accompanying new meter called the Paradigm Link meter that is expected
to be available in Canada in November or December.
with the 512 pump. Once a blood glucose is taken, the meter can transfer this
information into the pump via Radio Frequency (RF) technology. The pump will
then suggest a bolus based on three entries entered into the pump by the wearer:
1) carb ratio 2) insulin sensitivity 3) target blood glucose. Once the
suggestion is made it is up to the wearer to OK the suggestion before the bolus
is delivered. We are now one step closer to the closed loop system. This new
'pathway' will be made available to Paradigm wearers within the next couple of
months."
but is not now available in Canada. The manufacturer is not currently able to
satisfy the demand in the United States and Canada is a small market.
like to purchase an upgraded 512 pump and BD Link Meter.
warns the wearer to check for what has gone wrong. This message can occur with
an occluded (blocked) tube or infusion site.
WEB SITE
organization. Does anyone have any fundraising ideas such as sharing some of
the money Quinte Insulin Pumpers raises with 50-50 draws? Our minutes are made
available on their site http:/www.insulin-pumpers.ca
Darrin Parker is Co-chair and Web Master.
NUTRITION SUPPLEMENTS
Uxbridge, who spoke about healthy nutrition. "Good health can be defined as a
state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Cells are the
foundation of our bodies. Each day some of the cells are shed, but they are
quickly replaced by new cells. The energy from nutrients absorbed by the villi
is used to produce new cells. In an ideal situation, the villi in the lining of
the digestive system are very efficient. However, they can become less
efficient if they are knocked down , blocked or broken through poor diet or
medication. Herbalife has a number of products to be served in teas, shakes,
soups or yoghurt to supplement the diet. " Samples prepared with raspberries
from Joan's farm were offered.
questionnaire and orders for products can be placed here. More product
information is available at http://www.herbalife.com. a local
representative can be contacted at http://www.increasedfreedom@sympatico.ca , telephone 613 478 5996.