Shaheen, Collins Urge FDA To Expand Access to Islet Cell Transplantation to Better Address Health Needs of Millions with Type 1 Diabetes

The Senators wrote, in part: "With the goal of better addressing the health needs of people with diabetes, we write to request that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) take administrative action to improve access to deceased donor islet cell transplantation for certain individuals living with Type 1 diabetes (T1D). Recent scientific and clinical efforts have brought the medical field closer to potentially curative therapies for certain eligible patients. Some existing regulatory classifications, however, continue to limit patient access to islet cell transplantation, which holds promise as a treatment option that is both safe and effective for some individuals."