Not enough evidence to support Animas Vibe™ 

In February, the United Kingdom’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) issued positive guidance for the use of Medtronic insulin pump systems integrated with glucose sensors, for managing Type 1 diabetes and the avoidance of potentially life-threatening hypoglycaemic episodes.^[i]

NICE is a public body of the Department of Health in the UK and develop clinical guidelines to secure consistent, high quality, evidence based case. It’s important we take notice of the actions of public health bodies across the world so that people living with type 1 diabetes – no matter where they are – can make informed decisions for their health.

The guidance reviewed two sensor-augmented insulin pump therapy systems; the MiniMed^® Paradigm Veo^™ system and the Animas Vibe CGM and Dexcom G4 PLATINUM sensor.

NICE recommends the MiniMed^® Paradigm Veo^™ system for managing glucose levels in people with Type 1 diabetes who experience ‘disabling hypoglycaemia’ – defined as repeated and unpredictable occurrence of low-blood sugar attacks that result in persistent anxiety about recurrence, and is associated with a significant adverse impact on quality of life.^[i]

The Vibe and G4 PLATINUM CGM system were not recommended because more evidence is needed to support its routine adoption. According to NICE, “robust evidence is needed to show the clinical effectiveness of using the technology in practice.^[ii]

Since the assessment of the Paradigm Veo^™, NICE recognised that in 2015 Medtronic launched a successor system - MiniMed^® 640G.^[iii]

The MiniMed^® 640G is the most benefit-rich insulin delivery system yet. Though similar to the MiniMed^® Paradigm Veo^™, the 640G has additional features that can help to protect against severe hypoglycaemia in people with Type 1 diabetes by continuously monitoring glucose levels. An additional feature of the 640G system is SmartGuard^®.  This unique algorithm mimics some of the functions of a healthy pancreas by automatically stopping insulin delivery when glucose levels are predicted to approach a low limit – detected from sensor levels. It resumes delivery when levels recover. View the chart below for more information.

Additional features of the 640G include; Accurate insulin delivery; waterproofing; improved design and therapy management software.

Learn more about the NICE Guidance and Medtronic’s insulin pump therapy systems by contacting your local Medtronic representative or 1800 777 808.