Latvia

In Latvia, all types of insulin and other diabetes medicines are available and fully reimbursed for people living with diabetes (PwD).

While insulin pens are free of charge for all PwD, insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) are only reimbursed for children and test strips require a 25-50% co-payment. Other devices and technologies for blood glucose monitoring and insulin administration such as syringes, needles and blood glucose meters are not reimbursed.

Except for diabetes foot, screening for all diabetes-related complications is available everywhere in Latvia.

A special academic training for diabetes specialist nurses (DSNs) was in place until 2017. Nurses who completed this specialisation continue to serve as DSNs and play a role in the management of all types of diabetes but they are not allowed to prescribe medicines.