Timeframe boost for artificial pancreas

Government plans to cut wait times for new treatments in half could be a major boost in the fight to deliver the artificial pancreas for those living with Type 1 diabetes, according to JDRF.

Ministers are attempting to drastically increase the speed at which the NHS can introduce new therapies, The Times reported today.

The newspaper reported that outside of the parameters of the usual clinical trials system, Ministers also want to test individual patients with promising new drugs and analyse their anonymised data to discover much more quickly how effective certain treatments are.

Minister for Life Sciences George Freeman said: “I want to ensure that patients up and down the country can get access to important innovations as soon as possible. By revolutionising the way in which we look at getting medicines and devices into the NHS we will make sure that this country is the best place in the world for 21st century medical innovation.”

Sarah Johnson, Director of Policy and Communication at JDRF, said: “It is a real concern for JDRF that new treatment developments emerging from research into Type 1 diabetes take so long to reach people. We work as hard as we can to reduce the timeframe, but there are significant barriers in the way. Any measures that seek to break down these barriers, while maintaining patient safety, are to be welcomed. 

The artificial pancreas has been developed with the support of JDRF

“The artificial pancreas has been developed with the support of JDRF. It is now in advanced human trials, and promises to change lives for those with Type 1 diabetes. We are committed to making it a reality – and helping to ensure all those in the UK living with the condition who want it can access it.”