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Shalyndria
08-13-2004, 12:17 AM
The U.S. distributor of a portable insulin pump has received a warning from regulators for failing to promptly report that its devices may have contributed to serious injuries in some diabetics.

The Food and Drug Administration wrote to DANA Diabecare USA last month saying its procedures for reporting adverse events associated with the DANA Diabecare II pump were inadequate.

"Your firm received complaints regarding these pumps, which represent events that should have been reported as serious injuries," the FDA said in its letter dated July 23 and posted on its Web site on Tuesday.

In particular, evaluation of events at weekly staff meetings, to determine if they are reportable, may not provide timely and effective notification, the FDA said.

New Orleans-based DANA Diabecare had no immediate comment on the FDA letter, which warned that failure to promptly correct the matters raised could result in regulatory action that could involve seizure, injunction and money penalties.
08/10/2004, DIC

The FDA's official letter can be viewed here (http://www.fda.gov/foi/warning_letters/g4874d.htm)

Shy

koblenz
08-16-2004, 09:05 PM
Thanks for this tid bit.

My insurance (Cigna) is notorious for only approving the Dana, and my Endo said he would prefer I NOT get the Dana. He is willing to fight for me and call and scream at whoever it takes. I will forward this on to him for possible ammunition!

Dewey
08-16-2004, 10:09 PM
Hey Shy and Koblenz,

You have Cigna, Koblenz? I used to have them, and they (surprisingly - lol) covered my Deltec 100%, which was a total relief, cause I thought it was only going to be covered 80%. Just thought I'd let you know. This may differ depending on the type of coverage you have...

Sometimes, it can be a royal pain dealing with insurance, but places such as Animas and Deltec do the insurance leg work for you, so that really helps.

Hope this helps, and feel free to ask any questions. You can also email me or PM me, as I frequently check in. My email is:
toloache51@msn.com Good luck, and I'll gladly help. :)

koblenz
08-16-2004, 11:06 PM
Thanks for the info Dewey; I feel a little bit better.

I have read a lot of posts on other sites for folks with Cigna that have this problem. Maybe it is how hard your doctor fights and how hard the pump company hammers the insurance. I just started the education and research phase, so we will see.

I am fully expecting a nightmare of paperwork, phone calls, and such. If it is in any way less painful, I will just be pleasantly surprised. :rolleyes:

I will post when the decision is made and the gears are in motion.

koblenz
08-18-2004, 10:30 AM
Quick update, although a little off topic...

The local Paradigm sales rep just e-mailed me and said that Cigna California has just recently "lifted" it's "restriction" of only approving Dana pumps. Wooo Hoooo!

I guess that pagen sacrafice of the goat around the fire at midnight really worked!