Public policy toward the development and evaluation of devices for the control of diabetes mellitus

Recent research progress toward new technologies for managing diabetes mellitus prompts consideration of related public policy. As guides to this technological development: 1) the potential societal value of specific advances should be estimated; and 2) scientific, commercial, and public concerns should be reflected. In evaluating the new technologies: 1) the cost-effectiveness format for comparing net monetary effects to net health effects seems suitable; 2) the long lead time required to assess many diabetic effects suggests that evaluation of the technologies commence even while their modification continues; 3) a premium is placed on identifying observable short-term effects linked to long-term outcomes; and 4) the placebo effect should be scrutinized. Apace with evaluation of technologies should come evalution and modification of public polices for dealing with them.