Thousands of Sardinians with diabetes are being denied access to a standard of care – continuous glucose monitoring – due to outdated regional regulations, according to the Italian Diabetes Association (Fand). The situation highlights the challenges patients can face when access to modern medical technology lags behind current scientific recommendations.
Approximately 120,000 people in Sardinia live with diabetes, representing one of the highest rates in Italy. Of those, around 15,000 have type 1 diabetes, approximately 24,000 patients are on intensive insulin therapy, and over 35,000 use insulin. Despite these significant numbers, the region continues to apply prescribing criteria for glucose sensors that date back to 2016.
“The Region continues to apply criteria for the prescription of glycemic sensors that are now outdated in much of the country,” stated Stefano Garau, the national vice president of Fand, a Sardinian native. Currently, about 16,000 Sardinians utilize a sensor for glucose monitoring, but access is largely restricted to those who administer at least three insulin injections daily. This leaves thousands of insulin users without access to a technology now considered a standard of care.
Recent scientific guidelines, published in October 2025 by the Italian National Institute of Health, recommend continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems for all patients undergoing insulin therapy, including those treated with basal insulin only. This shift in recommendation underscores the growing understanding of the benefits of continuous monitoring for a wider range of patients.
“These are often fragile patients,” Garau continued, “who, without adequate tools, are at greater risk of complications, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations.” He added that We see paradoxical that a region with such a high prevalence of diabetes continues to employ outdated criteria.
Clinical experience and numerous scientific studies have demonstrated that continuous glucose monitoring enables more effective disease management, reducing acute episodes and improving the quality of life for people with diabetes. A study presented at the recent Attd international congress showed that, in patients with type 2 diabetes treated with basal insulin, sensor use can reduce glucose levels by as much as 0.9%, a result comparable to adding a new medication but achieved simply through technology.
Fand too raised concerns about funding. The regional financial law published in January 2026 allocates 10 million euros for the purchase of integrated systems for diabetes. However, this amount does not even cover the 12.5 million euros of the current tender, which is set to expire in November 2026.
According to Garau, “with these resources, we cannot even guarantee the current level of assistance, let alone expand access to sensors as indicated by national guidelines.” He warned that the situation risks creating new inequalities and penalizing thousands of people with diabetes in Sardinia. The limited funding could hinder efforts to improve diabetes care and potentially widen health disparities within the region.
