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>A CGM can cost $400 a month What in the world? $5k a year? How on earth are those things so expensive? 2 fully spec'd macbook pros per year? Surely they aren'
by go_blue_13 5y ago
>A CGM can cost $400 a month
What in the world? $5k a year? How on earth are those things so expensive? 2 fully spec'd macbook pros per year? Surely they aren't that complex. Am I missing something?
- idealmedtech 5y agoThey're not enormously complex from a hardware perspective, but the sensing element is really hard to get right. Interference from a whole host of common drugs (including ibuprofen) can really mess up one's signal. Not to mention the regulatory moat; many medical device startups die on the vine working for regulatory approval, or looking for funding for expensive human trials (which quickly get into the millions or tens of millions for a Phase II/III trial)
- x0x0 5y agoConsumables -- that go into your body, and hence are expensive to manufacture -- are a big chunk of that cost.
- Nition 5y agoI know this doesn't change your point, but note that it's $400NZD -> ~$270USD.
- grahar64 5y agoThey are entirely disposable. The transmitter lasts 3 months and the sensors last 10 days. I read something about the FDA requiring the sensors be forced to not work after 10 days, because they were worried about infections.
- go_blue_13 5y agoInteresting, so it really is a subscription cost as well
- parrellel 5y agoMedical equipment rules and price gouging. More medical equipment standards for the CGMs. More price gouging for the now $300+ vials of humalog.