‘Game-changer’ set to disrupt NZ diabetes market
New, more affordable* continuous glucose monitor to help people with Type 2 diabetes better manage their condition
On 1st October, New Zealand-owned healthcare company Pharmaco (N.Z.) Ltd launched the new CareSens Air Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) system in New Zealand at a price to increase accessibility for Kiwis with diabetes in the currently un-subsidised Type 2 market.
Starting at $96 per month ($48 per sensor) inclusive of GST, CareSens Air is a high-quality CGM with similar levels of sensor life, size and data transmission to other CGMs with prices ranging from $190 - $379 per month*. This means that CGMs are now a much more affordable tool to help people with Type 2 diabetes and their healthcare professionals better manage the condition, customise treatment and help prevent high and low glucose events.
There is a growing body of evidence that supports the use of CGMs for people with Type 2 diabetes, as they can offer continuous, real-time insights into how lifestyle choices, such as food and exercise, and medications, affect blood sugar through the day and night. This helps to improve diabetes management by encouraging healthier behaviour, enable personalised care, prevent high and low glucose events, and minimise the need for finger pricking to test blood sugar levels.
Working with Korea-based i-SENS, CareSens Air CGMs features a small, discreet sensor worn on the back of the upper arm that transmits real-time glucose readings via Bluetooth to a compatible smartphone using the CareSens Air app. It automatically tracks glucose levels, providing real-time glucose readings and trend data throughout the day and night. Healthcare professionals can also access patients’ glucose data remotely through Sens365, a secure, cloud-based web platform, enabling more proactive and informed care.
CareSens Air has the potential to benefit the approximately 271,411 people in New Zealand estimated to have Type 2 diabetes, according to Health New Zealand (¤ see source in Notes PTOø). Pacific peoples face the highest rates (13.7%), followed by Indian (10.3%) and Māori (8.2%) populations. The statistics also show that early-onset Type 2 Diabetes is disproportionately common among Māori and Pacific youth, and the prevalence rises steeply with age, especially beyond 45.
Prior to launch, close to 190 people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes took part in clinical trials of CareSens Air in New Zealand led by world-leading diabetes researcher, Professor Ben Wheeler of the University of Otago, over a three-year period starting in 2021, to provide an instructive, real-world trial of the device.
Professor Wheeler says: “We are lucky to have teams in New Zealand who are world leaders in the area of diabetes technology research. We compared CareSens Air to a gold standard glucose test and to other CGM products, looking at the experience of wearing it, how well users insert it and, most importantly, is it accurate? The trials have shown that this sensor has a good profile. It's small, it lasts for 15 days, and it's accurate and good quality. And the price point is extremely exciting. It is particularly well placed for people with Type 2 diabetes. We've got 300,000 Kiwis living with Type 2 who we desperately need to improve outcomes for. This allows us to get much more equitable access of CGM into the Type 2 community, which we desperately need.”
Chandra Selvadurai, Managing Director of Pharmaco (NZ) Limited, says: “To date, people living with Type 2 diabetes in New Zealand have had some CGM options, but as they are not subsidised they have been inaccessible for many Kiwis. We wanted to change that and bring to market a CGM just as good as other options but at a price that is more accessible”.
“Supporting people with diabetes is really important to me. In fact it is personal. My father had diabetes, and I would have loved it if this device had been available to him. Now the technology is here, my team and I at Pharmaco are delighted to bring this game-changing device to market.”
Launched in New Zealand ahead of its release in Australia by Pharmaco next year, CareSens Air is now available online via: www.caresensair.co.nz
* Based on current CGM retail prices from NZ CGMS distributor websites, August 2025
ENDS
ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. The CareSens Air continuous glucose monitoring system (CGMS) is indicated for the management of diabetes mellitus in people aged 18 years and over. CareSens Air is a class IIb medical device. For important safety information, please refer to the Instructions For Use. If current sensor readings do not match symptoms or expectations, use a glucose meter to make diabetes treatment decisions. Pharmaco (NZ) Ltd, Auckland. TAPS NP23343
About Pharmaco
Pharmaco (NZ) Ltd is a New Zealand-owned and operated company that was established in 1967. It provides a full range of sales and marketing services to over 20 international pharmaceutical, medical, diagnostic and scientific companies requiring representation in New Zealand and Australia, and a portfolio of over 2,500 products. Its service combines local knowledge with global expertise, to bring life-enhancing and life-saving products to this market, supported by warehousing, distribution, regulatory and administration services. Pharmaco is a leader in its field and an example of a company that has taken an entrepreneurial and innovative approach to serving the New Zealand public with vital healthcare products and services. The company’s Australian subsidiary, Pharmaco (Australia) Ltd, was established in 2005 and is based out of Sydney. https://pharmaco.co.nz/
About i-SENS
i-SENS is a global in vitro diagnostics company that researches, develops, and produces products to support human health by leveraging advanced biosensor and electrochemical technologies. With many years of experience in technology development, along with patents and research capabilities, i-SENS continues to develop and launch pioneering, easy-to-use products. Its blood glucose monitoring devices have been welcomed by customers in over 110 countries, including Korea, the United States, and across Europe, thanks to their intuitive design and accuracy. i-SENS also leads the diagnostic market with a diverse product portfolio, including electrolyte analyzers, blood gas analyzers, immunochemistry analyzers, and immunoassay analyzers, which are point-of-care systems capable of using whole blood. In September 2023, i-SENS launched CareSens Air, providing an innovative blood glucose management solution. Since then the company has entered overseas markets, starting with Europe in 2024.
About Professor Ben Wheeler MB ChB(Otago) DCH PhD CCE FRACP
Professor Ben Wheeler is a Paediatric Endocrinologist and Paediatrician working for the University of Otago and Health New Zealand - Southern. His research focuses on access to and use of new technologies for children, young people, and adults affected by diabetes, as well as factors that impact on glycaemic control in diabetes. He has a number of collaborations ongoing in these areas, and usually multiple clinical trials or studies running in these areas at any one time.
Video of Professor Wheeler talking about CareSens Air
About Type 2 diabetes in New Zealand - Sources:
¤ Key findings from Health New Zealand’s 2024 Virtual Diabetes Register: Source:
https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-health-professionals/data-and-statistics/diabetes/virtual-diabetes-register-web-tool
· In 2024, about 348,500 people were estimated to have diabetes in Aotearoa New Zealand. The estimated age-standardised prevalence of diabetes was 47.0 per 1000 population (95% CI: 46.8, 47.1).
· Over the last twelve years, there was an increase in the estimated age-standardised diabetes prevalence, from 36.6 per 1000 population in 2013 (95% CI: 36.5, 36.8), to 47.0 per 1000 population in 2024 (95% CI: 46.8, 47.1).
Statistics from the World Health Organisation – Diabetes Fact Sheet:
· Type 2 diabetes is more common than type 1 diabetes, accounting for around 90–95% of all diabetes worldwide: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes
Using a conservative 90% proportion, we therefore estimate 313,695 New Zealanders live with Type 2 diabetes
Age‑standardised prevalence per 1,000 population – assess in 2024:
Pacific peoples: 137.2 per 1,000 (13.72%) Te Wha Tū Ora
Indian: 103.6 per 1,000 (10.36%) Te Wha Tū Ora
Māori: 82.4 per 1,000 (8.24%) Te Wha Tū Ora
European/Other and Asian (non-Indian) ethnicities have lower prevalence (approx. 5–6% in European/Other, ~9.5% for Indian in 2022).