Evaluating Cost-effectiveness of Broader Continuous Glucose Monitoring Adoption and Plans to Expand Subsidies

19 Mr Edward Chia Bing Hui asked the Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health in light of the subsidies for continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) primarily for Type 1 diabetes patients, (a) whether the Ministry has conducted an assessment of the long-term cost-effectiveness of broader CGM adoption, including for Type 2 diabetes, in reducing complications, hospitalisation and overall healthcare costs; and (b) whether there are plans to expand subsidies beyond the current clinically limited groups.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: The Ministry of Health (MOH) will continue to review continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems for subsidy coverage beyond patients with Type 1 diabetes. This includes assessing potential subgroups of patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus if the use of CGM is shown to be clinically and cost effective.

Cost effectiveness depends on the price quoted by the suppliers for the Singapore market. Suppliers look to charge more here given our small market size and status as a high-income country. MOH is in constant discussion with suppliers while reviewing subsidy coverage for CGM systems.