Dexcom G7: now available in Canada!

Updated October 5th, 2023

A lot of people were impatiently waiting for it, and it’s finally here! Dexcom G7 will be available in pharmacies, starting October 10th, 2023.

The Dexcom G7 is the latest addition to the Dexcom family. This CGM system includes a subcutaneous sensor that sends data every five minutes to a mobile app or a receiver device via Bluetooth.

This successor to the Dexcom G6 was approved by Health Canada in July 2023 for people aged 2 and over, as well as for pregnant women.

Here’s an overview of this new-generation system.

A much smaller, all-in-one sensor

The Dexcom G7 features significant improvements such as the combination of the transmitter and sensor, making it an all-in-one device, and a much smaller size.

The new CGM is about the size of a quarter, which is close to 60% smaller than its previous version. It means less plastic and packaging, making for a more environmentally friendly option. 

The upcoming Freestyle Libre 3, the next-generation Freestyle Libre system (Dexcom’s main competitor), will also be reduced in the same proportions. This device has also recently been approved for sale in Canada, and should be available soon.

Faster warm-up time

The Dexcom G7 also features a shorter sensor warm-up time of 30 minutes, compared to 2 hours with the Dexcom G6. This means that users will be able to view their blood sugar levels quicker after inserting a new sensor.

A more user-friendly system
First of all, Dexcom G7 has more customizable alerts for more discretion.

Also, users will now have a 12-hour grace period to replace the sensor once it’s expired. This means that if the end of the sensor’s life falls in the middle of a school or work day, it will be possible to wait until the evening to change it, instead of replacing it the night before. 

The G7 will also come with a new round insertion device with a button on the side, similar to the FreeStyle Libre’s. Despite the fact that people with diabetes are concerned about the waste generated by their medical equipment, this smaller insertion device will be single-use and disposable. 

A new mobile app

In the updated Dexcom G7 app, users can easily view their blood sugar levels and analysis reports (such as average glucose levels and time spent within target) from Dexcom Clarity. No longer do users need to check the two different apps separately, as is required with Dexcom G6.

Cell phone compatibility

The G7 will work with most Android devices and Apple iPhones, just like the G6. Check the Dexcom website for a list of compatible phones. it is unclear if the new iPhone 15 will be approved just yet.

What about the t:slim X2 Tandem pump?

The Dexcom G7 integration with the Tandem pump is in progress, but no specific date has been provided by either company. We expect an announcement in early 2024.

Cost and coverage 

The Dexcom G7 will only be available in pharmacies. The cost of the sensor (which now includes the transmitter) will be around $88 before taxes (price varies by pharmacy). If you use a receiver rather than a cell phone to read your blood glucose data, the latter will be available at an average cost of $75 before taxes.

We’ll have to wait a while to find out if – and when – this system will be covered by Medicare (e.g. RAMA in Alberta, RAMQ in Quebec) and private insurance.

To learn more about the different CGMs available in Canada, check out and download our CGM comparaison table.

References :

• Dexcom. Dexcom G7: our smallest, most accurate, and easiest to use CGM system. Viewed on October 2nd, 2023. https://www.dexcom.com/fr-ca/canadag7
• Dexcom. Dexcom G7 has received FDA clearance, A new era of diabetes management. Coming early 2023, viewed on December 15th, 2022. https://www.dexcom.com/en-us/g7-fda
• AI, First look: New Dexcom G7 glucose monitor, viewed on December 15th, 2022. https://appleinsider.com/articles/22/12/13/first-look-at-the-new-dexcom-g7-glucose-monitor?fbclid=IwAR0LvwM5HuMmlG2g_O3BFwVPh7YEgStslrPuNg-T94svf_eHpIHJi39t-zs