Smiths Medical discontinues Deltec Cozmo pump

This really is tough. I know how attached people are to their pumps.  I felt like that when they discontinued the insulin (ultralente) that worked perfectly for me.

You Go, Dr. Bill!!! This sort of thing disgusts me and I'm not even on a pump yet! While I am a happy old middle-aged "hippie" heathen, in our current societal construct, I am beginning to reconsider the value of Shaming!....Thanks for the good work you do in the world!......Judith in Portland

Here is a phone contact:

Smiths Medical
Bob Hanvik, +1.651.628.7613
Mobile: +1.612.812.2433

Bill,

We're equally floored . . . considering Josh just got a NEW Cozmo pump the beginning of March and was formally trained by Cozmo and started using his Green Cozmo pump on St. Patrick's Day - 8 days before the discontinuation announcement!  This is our 2nd Cozmo pump and the attached glucometer is truly a necessity for a 10 year old boy. It gives him such freedom and me such piece of mind that all the equipment is attached.  I could go on and on, but to say the least I'm aghast at this unexpected turn.  We may well be in the last group of users and will finish our warrenty in 2013 -- and I wonder if there will be any customer support by that time. Looking forward to hearing about your conversation with Richard Thomas.

Kim

Dr Bill,

The decision to leave the diabetes business wasn't easy or made in haste, and Smiths is doing everything it can to communicate with its customers. Someone had posted contact information for Bob Hanvik above, who is involved with the communications of our business. Whether you try contacting him or customer service, there may be some wait time due to heavy call volume. I assure you though that your questions or concerns will be addressed, so please be patient..

I'll forward this request for you too.

Best,

Employee of Smiths

I am now going on my 52nd year as a Type I diabetic. One thing I have learned over the years is that treatment of diabetics is a money making opeartion. As long as we remain ill, sick or whatever you want to call it, then drug companies will figure out a way to keep us this way (by doing nothing to find a cure) and slowly bring new and costly innovations to market. Remember when your pump supplier sells you a pump they are already calculating the profit they will make from all of the supplies they will sell you.

Hi -

On www.bizjournal.com web page there is quite fair explanation why SM is stopping with Deltec Insulin Pump: "...Company spokesman Bob Hanvik said the pump had been losing market share amid increased competition from Fridley-based Medtronic Inc. and New Brunswick, N.J.-based Johnson & Johnson Inc. 

There also has been a trend to package insulin pumps with a diabetes care package. To compete, Smiths would have had to invest a large amount of resources to create its own package of diabetes products and services..." If they are loosing with Medtronics it is just because of marketting capabilities not because of quality. But they did not spot the problem with weak marketting so now we pay the price. Shame on them...

Maciek (father of 6yo diabetic girl).

Does anyone have an address where one could write to Dr. Thomas? they will not give it out at the customer service level. Please help me I really want him to know what his pump is doing. My childs health is in jepardy. I want to send him personal Health info, and try to resolve a growing issue.