Huons Lowers Price of Continuous Glucose Monitor 'Dexcom G6'

Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) 'Dexcom G6' (Photo by Huons)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The price of continuous glucose monitors (CGMS), essential devices for diabetes patients, is expected to be reduced by up to 50%. Huons, the company responsible for supplying the continuous glucose monitor 'Dexcom G6' in Korea, recently made a sudden decision to lower the price.

According to Huons on the 20th, the Dexcom G6 is a wearable medical device that measures glucose concentration in interstitial fluid every 5 minutes by attaching a sensor to subcutaneous fat and transmits the data to a smartphone or a dedicated receiver to monitor blood sugar levels. It does not require finger pricking and can be used continuously for 10 days, offering high convenience to users. It also features an alarm function for blood sugar fluctuations and a preemptive emergency hypoglycemia alarm, which is evaluated to help prevent hypoglycemia.

However, type 2 diabetes patients were not eligible for health insurance coverage, and type 1 diabetes patients had to bear the remaining cost after 70% of the price set by health insurance was covered, resulting in a significant financial burden for patients. With Huons' recent price reduction, the sensor (30-day supply) price dropped from 381,000 KRW to 300,000 KRW, and the transmitter (3-month supply) price decreased from 280,000 KRW to 210,000 KRW, representing reductions of 21% and 25%, respectively. In particular, the medical expenses for type 1 diabetes patients receiving health insurance reimbursement will be reduced by about half.

A Huons official stated, "We decided to lower the price to reduce the medical expenses burden on diabetes patients and to help not only type 2 diabetes patients but also those at risk of diabetes manage their blood sugar levels." He added, "Since Dexcom G6, which is trusted worldwide, has implemented a price reduction, the popularization and distribution of continuous glucose monitors in Korea will accelerate."