Sardinia Faces Backlog in Glucose Sensor Access for Diabetics
Thousands of people with diabetes in Sardinia, Italy, are facing limited access to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) technology, despite its increasing recognition as a standard of care. The issue stems from outdated regional legislation and insufficient funding, leaving many patients reliant on less frequent blood glucose checks.
High Diabetes Prevalence in Sardinia
Approximately 120,000 people in Sardinia live with diabetes, representing one of the highest incidences in Italy. This includes an estimated 15,000 individuals with type 1 diabetes, around 24,000 patients undergoing intensive insulin therapy, and over 35,000 individuals using insulin according to the Italian Diabetics Association (FAND).
Outdated Prescription Criteria
The FAND, through its national vice president Stefano Garau, a Sardinian native, has criticized the region’s prescription criteria for glucose sensors, which have remained unchanged since 2016. Currently, access is largely restricted to patients requiring at least three insulin injections daily. This excludes thousands of insulin-dependent individuals who could benefit from CGM technology.
Modern Guidelines Advocate for Wider CGM Use
Recent scientific guidelines, published in October 2025 by the Italian National Institute of Health, recommend CGM for all patients on insulin therapy, including those using basal insulin alone. Garau emphasizes that these patients are often particularly vulnerable and at higher risk of complications, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations without adequate monitoring tools.
Potential Benefits of CGM
Clinical experience and research suggest that CGM can significantly improve diabetes management. A study presented at a recent conference demonstrated that CGM use in type 2 diabetes patients treated with basal insulin could reduce blood glucose levels by up to 0.9%, comparable to the effect of adding a new medication.
Funding Concerns
The FAND as well raises concerns about insufficient financial resources. The regional financial law enacted in January 2026 allocates 10 million euros for integrated diabetes systems. However, this amount is insufficient to cover the 12.5 million euro cost of the current tender, which expires in November 2026. Garau warns that these limited resources may not even maintain the current level of assistance, let alone expand access to sensors as recommended by national guidelines, potentially exacerbating health inequalities.
About Stefano Garau
Stefano Garau is the national vice president of the Italian Diabetics Association (FAND) and a vocal advocate for improved access to diabetes care in Sardinia. He is also an amateur photographer based in Sardinia. More information about Stefano Garau can be found on his website.