28 January 2025

Some 61 million people live with diabetes in Europe (32 million in the EU), of whom about 20-30% are estimated to be treated with insulin. This includes all people living with Type 1 diabetes who cannot survive without daily insulin injections, and some people living with Type 2 diabetes who cannot bring their blood glucose down to the required target range through oral medication alone.

In some countries, people living with diabetes (PwD) are banned from certain professions such as that of commercial pilot. This stems from concerns linked to PwD developing hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose) resulting from insulin or sulphonylureas-based treatments. Low blood glucose symptoms may include, amongst others, shakiness, blurred vision, tiredness and inability to concentrate. Hypoglycaemia is a potentially fatal complication, if not managed timely.

Recent advances in the characteristics of insulins and their mode of administration as well as the development of continuous glucose monitoring devices (CGMs) have significantly improved PwD’s disease management, and notably their ability to become aware, and lower their risk, of hypoglycaemic events. While many countries have updated their regulatory frameworks to reflect these advancements, others continue to impose restrictions.

Our esteemed MMD member, MEP Peter Agius, submitted a written parliamentary question on January 22, 2025, urging the European Commission to align EU policies with the modern reality of diabetes management, and therefore end the outdated discrimination faced by commercial pilots living with Type 1 diabetes. In his questions, MEP Peter Agius:

• calls on the European Commission to clarify whether the latest advancements in diabetes care will be considered in the upcoming report from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), expected in October 2025.
• advocates for a harmonised approach among EU Member States to prevent regulatory disparities across the Union.
• urges concrete measures to address the professional and emotional impact on pilots living with type 1 diabetes.

MEP Peter Agius stated “I was contacted by a pilot diagnosed with diabetes. He is seeing his career fade away as his licence was not renewed. We need to act for these people. Advances in technology have made it possible for people living with diabetes to manage their condition safely, but EU policies are lagging behind, forcing them to give up their livelihoods. I will not accept that.”

PwD deserve equal opportunities. The MMD Group strongly support MEP Peter Agius’ efforts to call on the EU to align its policies and eliminate discrimination.