FDA Signals Support for Wider Access to CGMs

Access to continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in the US may be on the horizon for more people — not just those already diagnosed with diabetes.

FDA Commissioner Martin Makary recently highlighted the role of CGMs and other home diagnostics in preventing chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes.

“Why are we requiring continuous glucose monitors to have a doctor’s prescription, when it’s good for people to use these monitors and learn about what they’re eating?” Makary said in March. “We don’t want to limit continuous glucose monitoring to people with diabetes; we want to prevent diabetes, when 30% of our nation’s children have diabetes or prediabetes, or some form of early insulin resistance.”

Makary’s comments signal a potential shift in how regulators view CGMs. Currently, prescription requirements make access more difficult for people who want to use them for prevention, weight management, or general metabolic health insights.

Advocates argue that removing these barriers could help people spot early signs of insulin resistance and make lifestyle changes before diabetes develops.

Political support for wearables

Support for wider access to wearable health technology also comes from Robert F. Kennedy Jr, who has voiced enthusiasm for CGMs and similar devices, saying he’d like to see “one on every American within the next four years.”

What this could mean for the diabetes community

For people already living with diabetes, these signals from Washington may not immediately change access. But, if policy shifts follow, CGMs could become more mainstream and potentially lead to:

• More competition and innovation as the market grows
• Lower costs if insurance and manufacturers adjust to broader demand
• Less stigma around wearing a sensor, as more people without diabetes start using them.

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