Thousands of Albertans living with Type 1 diabetes will now have access to the province’s first tubeless insulin pump through public funding.
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The Alberta government announced it is expanding its Insulin Pump Therapy Program to include the Omnipod 5 on April 9. The device is a patch-style pump that integrates with a continuous glucose monitor to automatically adjust insulin levels in real time.
Adriana LaGrange, minister of primary and preventative health services, said the addition of the tubeless technology is a response to long-standing requests from the patient community.
“I’ve heard from so many Albertans who have been waiting for this insulin pump,” LaGrange said in a statement. “Living with diabetes is a daily challenge, and this device can make managing insulin simpler, easier and much less stressful.”
Under the current program, eligible Albertans can receive a new insulin pump at no cost every five years. The province confirmed that access to the Omnipod 5 will follow this existing replacement cycle, meaning most users will transition to the new tech once their current device warranty expires.
Dr. Peter Senior, director of the Alberta Diabetes Institute, called the move “hugely exciting,” noting automated delivery systems have provided “unprecedented improvements” in blood glucose levels and quality of life.
The expansion comes as the province faces a growing health challenge. Approximately 1.3 million Albertans are currently living with diabetes or pre-diabetes, a figure projected to rise to 1.68 million by 2034.
The government’s Budget 2026 has allocated more than $2.8 billion for pharmacy and medical supplies, which includes coverage for 16 diabetes drugs and nine insulin products.
Those already using an older Omnipod system may be able to upgrade earlier through a manufacturer-led “innovation pathway” program.
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