Category: Uncategorized

From Dr. Elliott: One week ago BC Pharmacare announced coverage of two biosimilar rapid insulins, considered by BCDiabetes to be functionally & clinically identical to the original branded insulins, both manufactured by Sanofi.  See the link above for the fineprint dates of coverage etc. insulin lispro “Admelog”, available in vials, cartridges & disposable pens original […]

A Message from Dr. Elliott: Pharmacare’s massive decision to cover the Dexcom G6 CGM has had a tectonic effect, felt across the province and beyond.  BCDiabetes estimates that up to 80,000 British Columbians are now eligible for this life-changing technology.  It has had one unexpected effect, at least to your correspondent – suddenly putting price-pressure […]

CRA Disability Tax Credit for Diabetes (DTC) The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) offers a non-refundable disability tax credit (DTC) of up to $1289 (in 2021) to individuals living with diabetes. Historically the conditions were extraordinarily stringent – based on the advocacy of the JDRF and other groups these conditions were relaxed in the Federal Budget […]

Highlights from our first fundraiser event, “Changing Lives Through Discovery and Research,” on April 4, 2019 at Science World in Vancouver.

No one will argue with the statement that having Type 1 diabetes sucks.  If you do a perfect job testing your sugars, adjusting your insulin and following a diet and exercise plan you will be spending a great deal of time, energy and money.   Until recently the Canada Revenue Agency was sympathetic & offered […]

When I tell people here at BCDiabetes that I studied urban planning, I’ll often be asked: how does urban planning impact health, especially for people living with diabetes? Historically, as professions, public health and urban planning used to be very closely aligned — back when there was a great deal of concern with communicable diseases, […]

  Yesterday, (2017-02-23) a study of diabetic mice was published in the journal “Cell” showing that a special “fasting mimicking diet” (FMD) for 4 days every month caused regeneration of pancreatic insulin-secreting beta cells.  As such, in mice at least, this diet has the potential to reverse both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. No […]

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) or “sensors” have been around for more than a decade.  With the arrival in Canada last week of the Dexcom G5 everything has changed: the G5 is more accurate than its predecessor the G4 allowing for ever more reliable low and high sugar alarms, it sends results straight to your smartphone […]

Sensors (or continuous glucose monitors) are devices that measure the sugar/glucose in body water (known medically as “interstitial fluid”). A small teflon needle is inserted into the skin and is usually changed every 7-14 days. The needle is connected to a sensor which either automatically sends/pushes the Interstitial fluid glucose level via bluetooth to a […]

First: purchase two accessories from Amazon.ca GrifGrips (package of 20 for CAD$20) Skin Tac (either wipes or the liquid, 50 wipes for CAD$14.84) Technique Place the sensor like you usually would, but put in on the back of the arm (as you would for a Freestyle Libre) – much better numbers. Then soak the white […]