Search This Blog

Powered by Blogger.

Blog Archive

Labels

Showing posts with label Medtronic. Show all posts

CDSCO Warns Users and Providers against Potentially Hack-able Insulin Pumps!





The wireless communication between Medtronic’s Minimed insulin pumps and other remote controlled related devices like blood glucose meters. These have a high risk of being hacked.

Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), the apex drug regulator issued an alert about a few of Medtronic PLC’s insulin pumps being hack-able in response to US FDA flagging the theme.

No complaints of the sort have been received so far from the market, but nonetheless it happens to be an essential issue that needs looking into and hence CDSCO alerted the medical professionals.

Due to the aforementioned alleged cyber-security issues, (nevertheless potential in nature) few of the insulin pumps from the Medtronic Minimed have been recalled.

The US drug regulator recommends people to swap their insulin pumps for different models due to the potential risks related with the communication between these pumps and other devices like glucose meters and CareLink USB device used with them.





An insulin pump is a medical device specifically designed to help  diabetics control their glucose levels. The device pumps insulin in the user’s body in continuous doses.

Every insulin pump from Medtronic’s Minimed has a serial number which according to CDSCO should never be shared.

Per the CDSCO’s alert, the insulin pumps which are susceptible to potential hacking, namely are, MiniMed Paradigm 715, 712, 722 and 754 with software versions 2.6A or lower.

According to sources, Medtronic is pre-emptive about informing the users, regulators and medical professionals about the potential cyber-hazards of the insulin pumps.

They are also readily working with researchers to aid the patients, users, doctors and stakeholders, find answers to any questions they may have.

Medtronic alluded to it that with the evolution of technology will “continue to collaborate with industry researchers and regulators and develop high quality therapies that will positively impact lives”.

The company also remarked that over the years many models of these insulin pumps have been launched where their quality has been focused upon with utmost seriousness and concern.