calling all kiwis! advise please!

[blue_eyed_devil]

hey people from godzone,

i'm just curious to ask if any of you direct order your pump supplies from overseas... i have heard through the grapevine that this is possible and a LOT cheaper than buying from new zealand suppliers.

any help would be great...! thanks, lauren.

[blue_eyed_devil]

oh come on!!! there must be someone out there who can help!!!

[BlueSky]

I don't know of anyone in New Zealand who is using a pump. The capital and ongoing costs are prohibitive. Having said that, apparently there are about 500 pumpers in NZ. I suspect that you could get supplies a lot cheaper from China. When I trialled the pump last year, the Cozmo rep told me that he was negotiating with Chinese suppliers and that Pharmac had said they would pay if he could source pump supplies at $80 a month. If and when this happens, I may reconsider getting one.

[Chappo]

Hi guys!
After my most recent trip to Wellington for the West Pacific International Diabetes Federation Congress, i met a few people. If you'd like me to put you in touch with someone who is heavily involved with pumps in NZ, drop me a PM and i'll send you their contact details.
Take it easy :)
Alex

[Emm]

Another kiwi here - but not a pumper, and I'd have no idea at all, sorry :( But good luck.

How did you go about getting a pump? Do you have good support for it?

[blue_eyed_devil]

BLUESKY, you do now. i've been on one for a couple of years now. the cost is what is driving me mad, and i heard from a friend of mine (who also pumps) that she found some people who get their supplies from over seas. for a lot less. i'm guessing your cozmo rep was justin, who is very good however the cost is killing me... i love the pump but don't love the cost...

thanks to you other guys fro your responses... :)

lauren.

[BlueSky]

... i'm guessing your cozmo rep was justin, who is very good however the cost is killing me... i love the pump but don't love the cost. .....
Yes, it was Justin - I had forgotten his name. I suggest you phone him up and explain your situation. Justin is very clued-up about pumping in NZ and actively advocates for pumper interests. I am sure he would be able and willing to advise you. When I spoke to him last year he was exploring alternative supply arrangements to bring costs down, so he should be able to point you in the right direction. ;)

[Emm]

I've spoken to Justin too - he's a godsend for us kiwis! How nice it is to have someone working on getting us pumps & now CGMS too. Of course he can't work miracles and give them away ;) But he's working with the government to try getting those tools as subsidised diabetes treatment, and he's a real asset to the D community :)

[blue_eyed_devil]

i'm glad you all get along with justin.

he is very passionate about diabetes and fully aware of my situation, however is not able to help me.

i know there are others out there who buy their supplies directly from overseas - that is what i am wanting to do.

thanks heaps for your replies :)

[freo]

Im a Kiwi from Hamilton, just started pumping this week (Animas 2020). Yes Justin is very good, he came to my house to talk all about pumps before i got this one. Unfortunately i can't help with getting overseas supplies, I always found it tricky to get suff brought in from overseas. My clinic subsidises almost all of the pump supplies, so I haven't needed to bring anything in yet :)

[Emm]

Blue, I wonder if there's someone here who could arrange supplies for you?
I suspect it's actually more expensive to get them from America (It seems like they put the prices UP there - I guess they think they may as well get what they can since it's mostly insurance companies paying?!). But maybe we have someone from somewhere who knows something. *shrug*

[blue_eyed_devil]

freo,
man i wish i lived in a place over here where i got subsidised stuff! maybe i need to move!!!

emm,
one day i'll find the people who have succeeded in getting supplies in from overseas... it is very frustrating over here that pumps are subsidised everywhere. tis driving me nuts!!!