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USA Vs Europe: Who Is Leading the Diabetes Tech Race?

  • Health Care Delivery Systems and Implementation in Diabetes (ME McDonnell and AR Sadhu, Section Editors)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To highlight global advancements in diabetes technology and compare available technologies and device approval processes in the USA and Europe and their impact on safety and innovation.

Recent Findings

The last two decades have seen a rapid growth in diabetes technology driven by the impetus to improve glycemic control, avoid complications of insulin therapy, improve quality of life, and hand more autonomy to individuals with diabetes. Meanwhile, changes to regulatory processes in the USA and Europe aim to facilitate entry of new devices into the marketplace.

Summary

Major strides have been made in digitization of insulin pens, continuous glucose monitors and their integration with insulin pumps, automated insulin delivery systems, and closed-loop insulin pump systems. The centralized regulatory body in the USA and more decentralized approval bodies in Europe have led to differences in the rate of market availability of diabetes devices. While both US and Europe systems have different advantages and disadvantages in device approval, they continue to struggle with balancing accelerated device access with adequate clinical evidence and monitoring to ensure safety of such devices.

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References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: •• Of major importance

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Houston Methodist Hospital, 6565 Fannin St. Suite 1101, Houston, TX, 77030, USA

    Gonzalo J. Acosta, Spandana Brown, Ashkan M. Zand, Abhishek Kansara & Archana Sadhu

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  1. Gonzalo J. Acosta
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  2. Spandana Brown
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Correspondence to Abhishek Kansara.

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Acosta, G.J., Brown, S., Zand, A.M. et al. USA Vs Europe: Who Is Leading the Diabetes Tech Race?. Curr Diab Rep 19, 128 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-019-1237-z

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