'Cap Prices Of Glucose Monitors, Make In India': Parliament Panel Says Amid High Costs

Last Updated:December 17, 2025, 12:20 IST

The committee observed the absence of concrete regulatory intervention on pricing and insurance coverage that continue to make CGMs and essential diabetic medicines unaffordable.

Continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs, are devices that track blood sugar levels throughout the day and night. (AI generated image)

For many diabetes patients in India, tracking blood sugar levels has become a costly affair as glucose monitoring devices remain expensive and largely uninsured, the parliamentary standing committee on health has noted in its latest report.

To address this, the expert committee has recommended price caps on continuous glucose monitoring devices, mandatory insurance coverage, and steps to promote domestic manufacturing to make the technology more affordable.

Continuous glucose monitors, or CGMs, are devices that track blood sugar levels throughout the day and night, helping patients and doctors manage diabetes better and avoid complications. These devices are especially important for people with type-1 diabetes and those who rely on insulin, as they allow real-time monitoring without repeated finger-prick tests.

However, the short lifespan of most CGM sensors means patients must replace them frequently, significantly increasing monthly expenses.

In its latest report tabled in Parliament on December 11, the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare pointed out that most CGM sensors currently used in India function optimally for only seven to fourteen days. While longer-lasting implantable sensors exist and can last up to ninety days, they are not widely accessible or affordable for most patients.

The committee noted that the high cost of CGM devices, combined with the lack of long-term insurance coverage, has emerged as a major barrier for patients who require lifelong monitoring and medication. It also flagged that there is currently no specific price ceiling for CGM devices, even though the drug price watchdog National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) regulates prices of several essential medicines and medical devices.

The report said, “Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and diabetic medicines are essential for effective diabetes management which is a chronic disease condition. However, the high cost of CGMs, their limited lifespan and the lack of long-term insurance coverage for these devices and medicines create significant challenges for patients."

India is home to one of the world’s largest populations of people living with diabetes, and the panel said affordable access to monitoring devices is critical for preventing complications and reducing long-term healthcare costs.

What is the solution?

To address the issue, the committee has recommended stronger government intervention on pricing and insurance coverage.

It said, “The committee, therefore, recommends increasing the lifespan of CGM sensors, implementing price controls and price caps on CGM sensors, cardiac stents, etc., mandating insurance coverage for CGMs and diabetic medicines on a long term basis to ensure affordability and accessibility."

The panel also linked the affordability problem to India’s dependence on imported CGM technology and stressed the need to strengthen domestic manufacturing.

According to the report, “The Committee further desires that ‘Make in India’ initiative should be promoted to reduce prices and achieve self-sufficiency in CGM production."

While responding to the committee, the department highlighted that CGM devices provide real-time glucose readings and are particularly beneficial for people who use insulin. It also noted that implantable sensors can last longer than conventional sensors and that proposals related to price regulation of CGMs can be examined by the pricing authority. The department added that initiatives under “Make in India" are aimed at reducing import costs and promoting local manufacturing, with companies launching CGM products for the Indian market.

Push for make in India monitoring devices

The committee expressed dissatisfaction with the current pace of action and flagged the absence of firm regulatory steps. It said, “The committee observes with deep concern over the absence of concrete regulatory intervention on pricing and insurance coverage that continue to make CGMs and essential diabetic medicines unaffordable for a large segment of patients especially who rely on insulin to manage, particularly those requiring lifelong monitoring and medication."

Calling for coordinated action, the panel recommended, “The committee, therefore, recommends that the department, in coordination with NPPA and IRDAI, formulate a comprehensive framework for price regulation, insurance inclusion, and procurement of CGMs and diabetic medicines under national health schemes, ensuring affordability and equitable access."

The panel has also pushed for long-term solutions through innovation and faster approvals. “The committee further recommends that the Department should support domestic research and development, and large-scale production of CGMs through targeted incentives, public-private partnerships, and expedited approval processes under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, to reduce import dependency and achieve long-term self-reliance in diabetes management technologies."

News india 'Cap Prices Of Glucose Monitors, Make In India': Parliament Panel Says Amid High Costs

Read More