Medtronic Korea began directly distributing and selling its diabetes management medical devices on Monday.

The company said it aims to respond more quickly to the rapidly growing domestic diabetes management medical device market and accelerate the introduction of its products by increasing brand awareness.

According to Medtronic Korea, the diabetes management device market grows significantly every year as the number of diabetes patients increases. The treatment environment is also gradually improving, for instance, expanding insurance coverage for type 1 diabetes management devices for people under 19 in February.

Accordingly, the company said that interest in the up-to-date insulin pump systems and continuous glucose monitors for effective blood glucose management has also increased, stressing the importance of patient and customer contact management. In response to these market changes, Medtronic Korea is expanding its dedicated diabetes business division and will directly manage all patient and customer interactions.

"The latest decision underscores Medtronic's strong commitment to partnering with Korean patients with type 1 diabetes and their healthcare providers," Medtronic Korea CEO Yoo Seung-rok said. "Direct distribution and sales will shorten the distance between our customers, including Korean patients and healthcare providers and us while strengthening our supply and customer service."

As a leading diabetes management medical device company with all the solutions needed to implement an artificial pancreas system, Medtronic Korea will provide the most advanced solutions and high-quality customer service, Yoo added.

Medtronic has all the products and technologies needed to implement an artificial pancreas, including continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, insulin pens, and data analytics applications.

In Korea, the company offers a complex closed-loop insulin pump (MiniMed 780G System), a basic insulin pump (MiniMed 720G System), and a continuous glucose monitor (Guardian 4 System).

Product inquiries regarding Medtronic's diabetes management medical devices can be made through the KakaoTalk channel (Medtronic Diabetes Division Customer Support) and by phone (Call Center: 080-280-0288), and purchasing inquiries can be made at 02-2258-8424. All products supplied in Korea can also be found on the company’s official website (http://medtronicdiabetesmall.co.kr/).