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NZSSD-DNZRF Summer Studentships 2025/2026: Applications are now open
Posted: 6th July 2025

The New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) and the Diabetes New Zealand Research Foundation (DNZRF) are pleased to announce their joint financial support for up to six NZSSD-DNZRF summer studentships during the 2025/26 summer period.

These are generally targeted at undergraduate, honours and/or masters students who have not yet completed their degree.

Projects must be diabetes related and appropriate supervision needs to be provided by the host institution.

Applications open on 7th July 2025 and must be submitted via the NZSSD website

by 5pm, Friday the 15th of August 2025.

For further information about research grants please contact the NZSSD Secretariat Secretary@nzssd.org.nz

Grant or research-specific questions may also be directed to A/Prof Hamish Crocket hamish.crocket@waikato.ac.nz

Decision to enable new people to start treatment with dulaglutide for type 2 diabetes
Posted: 16th June 2025

Kia ora koutou 

I am very pleased to share this news about access to GLP1a dulaglutide.

From 1 July 2025, Pharmac is removing the 'no new patient restriction' on the GLP1a dulaglutide (branded as Trulicity).  This means people with type 2 diabetes, who meet the eligibility criteria, will be able to start on treatment with this medicine.

Learn more about the decision to enable new people to start treatment with dulaglutide for type 2 diabetes.

More information about the ongoing supply issue  is available on the Pharmac website: Dulaglutide(Trulicity) and Liraglutide (Victoza): Supply issue

Please also visit the   NZSSD Type 2 diabetes guidance   for information on when/in which patients it is appropriate to prescribe a GLP1Ra, and prescribing and monitoring recommendations.  

This is great news for people living with type 2 diabetes and the health professionals caring for them.

Ngā mihi nui

Jo

Dr Jo McClintock(she/her)

Consultant Clinical Psychologist |Kaimātai Hauora Hinengaro

President - New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes

president@nzssd.org.nz

Applications are open for Professional Devt Award and RN Prescribing Devt Grants 1 & 2
Posted: 12th June 2025

NZSSD is currently accepting applications for the following grants:

 1)  Professional Development Award

There are eight awards available per year, two each quarter and are open to NZSSD financial members.  The amount awarded will be at the discretion of the Executive with awards not usually more than $1,500 per individual. An award will be granted to an individual only once within a year.

 This closes on 31 July, 2025.   For more information and to apply  click   HERE

 2)  Registered Nurse Prescribing Development Grant 1 - for Semester 2, 2025

Registered Nurses, with a focus in diabetes care, working toward Registered Nurse Prescribing in Specialist and Primary Care Teams authorisation.

 This closes on 4 July, 2025.  For more information and to apply  click   HERE

 3)  Registered Nurse Prescribing Development Grant 2 -2025

Applications for Nurse Practitioner Practicum 2025

This is open for applications throughout the year.  For more information and to apply  click  HERE

CVD Calculator, Deep Fakes, and Extended Prescriptions
Posted: 29th May 2025
Mailshot sent to members on 29.05.2025

Kia ora koutou

A bit of a mixed bag update but an essential one. Thanks to all who have reached out about the CVD calculator. We have updated the website to prioritise the more accurate and contemporary VAREANZ risk predictor calculator which includes an equation for people with type 2 diabetes.    https://nzssd.org.nz/resources/section/calculators

We have been made aware of a number of deep fakes promoting fake "diabetes medications" that are using NZSSD members names, faces, and voices. This is a serious concern that requires wide spread awareness. Attached is our media release and we would appreciate if you can circulate this on your own or your workplaces social media channels. We also strongly recommend that anyone impacted by these deep fakes contact the NZ Police.

Thirdly, we wanted to comment on the extended prescription period from three to twelve months. This will have a positive impact for many people living with diabetes for a range of reasons. It remains important however that clinical decision making is the basis for  selecting an appropriate  prescribing period and the rationale is communicated clearly to tāngata whaiora to manage any concerns or expectations they may have.

Both the NZSSD executive and I are happy to take any further questions or feedback on these issues.

Ngā mihi,

Jo


Dr Jo McClintock (she/her)

Consultant Clinical Psychologist | Kaimātai Hauora Hinengaro

President - New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes

president@nzssd.org.nz

Media Release: Deep fakes promoting "diabetes medications"
Posted: 29th May 2025
Media release

Warning: Fake Videos Targeting People with Type 2 Diabetes

The New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes (NZSSD) is warning people with type 2 diabetes to be cautious about health advice on social media, especially videos that appear to be from New Zealand doctors.

Please download the PDF for more information.

NZ Diabetes And Obesity Research Review Issue 189
Posted: 14th May 2025

Click   HERE   for the latest issue

Welcome to Issue 189 of Diabetes and Obesity Research Review. 

 

With the flu season upon us, this issue includes research reminding us of the importance of ensuring our patients with diabetes get vaccinated! 

 

As usual we have attached the PDF, and you can also view the issue online.

 

Some of the other highlights include:

  • Age and sex differences in efficacy of type 2 diabetes treatments
  • Child and adolescent overweight/obesity: 1990-2050
  • Tree nuts as snacks in young adults at risk for metabolic syndrome

We hope you enjoy the papers selected for this issue and find them beneficial to you and your patients. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome, please continue to send them in.

 

Kind regards,

 

Professor Jeremy Krebs

jeremykrebs@researchreview.co.nz

Diabetes and Related Conditions Prescribing Meeting - 5th & 6th August 2025
Posted: 15th April 2025

 The Diabetes and Related Conditions  Prescribing Meeting is an opportunity to receive updates on  contemporary  clinical management and  prescribing in diabetes care, and to connect and network with your peers involved or with an interest in diabetes care.  The meeting is open to registered nurses and pharmacists with prescribing current authority and nurse practitioners. 

The meeting will be held at the Novotel Hotel, Auckland Airport on Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th August, 2025.


Here is the link to the meeting information and registration site:

https://www.eventleaf.com/e/DiabetesPrescribingMeeting2025

 

Freestyle libre 2 Plus and Ryzodeg
Posted: 12th April 2025

Kia ora koutou

You may have seen the announcement from Pharmac this week about funding changes that will come into affect on 1 May 2025. . 

Freestyle Libre 2 Plus CGM:

From 1 May 2025, Pharmac will be listing the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus CGM as a standalone continuous glucose monitor (CGM) alongside the currently listed FreeStyle Libre 2.
 
The FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus is more accurate than the previous model, it can also be used for longer. The size, phone app, reader, adhesive, and application method are the same as the FreeStyle Libre 2. Everyone who is currently eligible for a funded FreeStyle Libre 2 will be able to switch to the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus.
 
The FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus can be worn for 15 days - a day longer than the previous model. Because people can wear it for longer, Pharmac is changing how many people can get on a prescription from 29 per year to 28 per year. This aligns the FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus with other CGM's that we fund.
 
It will be available from 1 May 2025, and the currently funded FreeStyle Libre 2 will be delisted from November 2025.
 
Please pass this news onto your networks as I appreciate there will be a great deal of interest in this change.
 
More information is on Pharmac's website   here.

Insulin Degludec with insulin aspart (Ryzodeg)

Pharmac is funding a new type of insulin (branded as Ryzodeg) for people with diabetes from 1 May 2025. 

This is a mix insulin with a longer basal insulin combined with insulin aspart. As you know other mix insulins provided by Novo Nordisk have been phased out (PenMix and Mixtard) or will be in the near future (NovoMix)   https://www.pharmac.govt.nz/medicine-funding-and-supply/medicine-notices/insulin

Ryzodeg will be an alternative option that may be beneficial for many people with T2DM. 

Read the full details   here:

The NZSSD Guidance group will be meeting in early May and will ensure all of our guidance documents are updated, with additional information about Ryzodeg. 

Ngā mihi

Rosemary

Dr Rosemary Hall
Endocrinologist, Te Whatu Ora; Wellington and Tairāwhiti
President New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes
 
president@nzssd.org.nz
Secretariat:   Secretary@nzssd.org.nz
NZSSD website: www.nzssd.org.nz

 

GLP-1 Access
Posted: 16th February 2025

Kia ora koutou

You may have seen the notice from Pharmac yesterday allowing new special authority applications for liraglutide (Victoza) from 1 March 2025. We are very pleased that the special authority criteria will be the same as when SA's were suspended in May 2024. This will again allow us to prescribe according to our national guidelines and best practice, and we all know how beneficial this will be for people living with diabetes. We are assured by Pharmac that the intention is for no further suspensions of special authority criteria for GLP-1 agonists to allow ongoing access for those who meet criteria. It is of course important, as previously, that these medications are prescribed only for people with T2DM so that availability continues. 

The link to detailed information from Pharmac is:

Decision to enable new people to start treatment withliraglutide for type 2 diabetes

Unfortunately, we don't have such good news regarding the global shortage of Glucagon and the limited allocation to Aotearoa NZ. 

Glucagon hydrochloride (Glucagen Hypokit): Supply issue

pharmac.govt.nz

We will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available. 

Ngā mihi

Rosemary

Dr Rosemary Hall
Endocrinologist, Te Whatu Ora; Wellington and Tairāwhiti
President New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes

Pharmac notice to fund CGMs
Posted: 29th August 2024
We are thrilled to be able to let you know that Pharmac have confirmed the decision to fund continuous glucose monitors and widen access to insulin pumps and consumables from 1 October 2024. We know that this decision is the result of a considerable amount of work from so many people and we thank you all for your input over many years. This is a momentous event for people and whānau with T1D in Aotearoa and certainly a day to celebrate.

We know that this decision will also bring some anxiety for our already stretched health system and workforce. NZSSD will provide as much clinical and practical support as we can to enable the process to be as streamlined and equitable as possible. We will keep you informed of education opportunities and guidelines and welcome widespread discussion and resource sharing. 

I have attached our media release. 

Pharmac's information page has details of the revised special authority criteria and processes around transitioning people from Medtronic systems. 

Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), insulin pumps and insulin pump consumables: Procurement status

pharmac.govt.nz

Ngā mihi

Rosemary

Dr Rosemary HallEndocrinologist
President New Zealand Society for the Study of Diabetes
president@nzssd.org.nz
secretary@nzssd.org.nz

NZSSD website: www.nzssd.org