Standardisation of devices and supplies for diabetics

What do glucose meters and mobile phones have in common?

A countless number of receptacles. In the case of mobile phones, this has changed a couple of years ago (common external power supply). Prior, manufacturers used different kinds of receptacles and connectors for their own range of products, for example for charging or for data transfer. European politics got manufacturers to use common standards, which meant less electronic waste and also led to an easier handling of the devices and a consumer-friendly pricing policy.

Although there is no law for the standardisation of mobile phone receptacles yet, politics is able to initiate such developments. This is why I seek to propose the introduction of common standards for glucose meters and lancing devices within the European Union.

Evidently, this standardisation would reduce electronic waste, because devices and supplies could be used for a longer period of time. The value of test strips for instance would not be affected by the change to another device.

Primarily, it would lead to a relief of the healthcare system. Manufacturers would be regulated by real competition and would have to adjust to their competitors. Consumers would profit, because they could chose the product they like best or simply the cheapest. Currently, consumers have to stick to the price for the supplies (e.g. test strips and the new contactless models; flash systems) that are determined by their device on hand:

Diabetics need up to 200 test strips a month. This adds up to 2.400 test stipes a year, which means 1.200 euros (50 test strips are approximately 25 euros. Some manufacturers have substantially higher prices). These costs are mostly financed by the healthcare system, which in turn is financed by us.