The Omnipod 5 hybrid closed loop system can now integrate with the Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitor (CGM) in the UK, which will give people living with diabetes additional choice and flexibility for managing their blood sugar levels.
We welcome this announcement from Insulet, the manufacturers of Omnipod 5. This hybrid closed loop system is available on the NHS for those eligible, but you will need to check with your local diabetes team to see if the device will be available where you live.
What is Omnipod 5?
Omnipod 5 is the first and only tubeless hybrid closed loop system that can integrate with three continuous glucose monitor (CGM) sensors: the Abbott FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus and the Dexcom G7 and G6.
Omnipod 5 is approved for people living with type 1 diabetes aged two years and older in the UK.
Omnipod 5 is made by Insulet, who are working with the NHS in England to enable access to this pump in combination with the Dexcom G7 for people living with type 1 diabetes, who are eligible for the device, in line with recommendations from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) appraisal of hybrid closed loop.
In Scotland, the Scottish Health Technologies Group made recommendations for a rollout of diabetes technology across Scotland at the start of 2022. We are still waiting for a comprehensive funding plan for rolling out hybrid closed loop systems. But in May 2024, we welcomed the announcement of up to £8.8 million additional funding for diabetes technology by the Scottish Government.
Insulet has said that it is working to develop Omnipod 5 integration with a wider range of CGM sensors.
Insulet is also currently working on a caregiver solution where users of the Omnipod 5 system integrated with a FreeStyle Libre 2 Plus sensor can share real-time glucose data with guardians or caregivers.
How does Omnipod 5 work?
Omnipod 5 is a tubeless hybrid closed loop system that delivers insulin doses automatically.
As this is a patch pump system, the waterproof pod delivering the insulin sits directly on the skin. Some people with diabetes prefer this because of fewer pieces of hardware required and lower risk of tubes getting caught or blocked.
The system features an integrated algorithm, known as ‘SmartAdjust’ technology, which receives glucose values and trends every five minutes.
Omnipod 5 can then predict what a person’s sugar levels will be 60 minutes later, and it automatically adjusts insulin doses or pauses insulin delivery based on a person’s blood glucose targets. This is designed to make diabetes management easier by making most insulin dosing decisions for someone, so they don’t have to.
The system also comes with an activity feature which can be enabled to reduce insulin delivery during exercise.
If you use the Omnipod 5 system integrated with the Dexcom G6 or G7 then you will need a smartphone to use the Dexcom App. The Dexcom G6 and G7 Receivers can’t be used with the Omnipod 5 system because the system is only compatible only with the Dexcom G6 App on a smartphone.
How do I access Omnipod 5?
Omnipod 5 was made available in the US in 2022, and in 2023 it became available for people living with type 1 diabetes aged two years or older in the UK.
In December 2023 NICE released final appraisal recommendations in England and Wales which means that over 100,000 people with type 1 diabetes could be offered hybrid closed loop technology as an option to help manage their condition over a planned five-year implementation period.
And in April 2024, NHS England announced that the rollout of these systems would start in England. However, this is subject to systems meeting a cost threshold set by NICE, and this is still being negotiated for the Omnipod 5 and Dexcom G7 combination.
We know that there are ongoing discussions between the Scottish Government and the NHS around funding for the rollout of hybrid closed loop in Scotland.
Omnipod 5 is available on the NHS for those eligible and you can check with your local diabetes team to see if the device will be available for you.
The Dexcom G6 and G7 CGMS are also available, separately from the Omnipod 5, for those eligible or it can be self-funded.
