Unfortunately, there is no "one size fits all" solution. I like thinking of our bodies as individual combination locks - everyone is different. Our age, our past and current health history, hereditary factors, lifestyle, smoker/non-smoker (past or present), injuries, mental state and mindset. Wow ... we are complex creatures. I was in a diabetes group meeting at the local clinic yesterday and what a diverse group. Newly diagnosed and long-time diabetics, minor and major personal situations, etc. So many different meters being used and varied degrees of technical abilities - and age wasn't a factor with that. While our Canadian health care system is very similar to the UK, there are some differences and because not everything is covered for the cost of diabetic treatment and monitoring it depends on the individual's ability to afford what they should be using. The new monitors like FreeStyle Libre (not approved for Canada yet but being used with about a month backlog in getting one) - and there is another called Dexcom that is similar (in fact looks better). But that is the luxury version that most cannot afford unless their personal or employer health care plan covers it, so old-school finger pricking is most common.
The roulette game of drugs is typical of "lets throw it at the wall and see what sticks". Hopefully, if there are any side-effects that they will be minor. If not then recover and try the next "miracle cure" in line until one works - or at least helps.
Earlier in this post, I mentioned "mindset". Does the diabetic 100% trust and listen to their doctor or is inquisitive, asks questions, and seeks answers because it is their life, their body, their comfort of living and finding the best solution for them without the medical system trying to fit them into the norm .... but you could be a square peg they are trying to put into a round hole. With such huge populations and therefore more healthcare needs it is almost impossible to provide tailored solutions for each person.
Before I could get access to my lab results (we now can access test results online within days of the tests) all I would hear from a doctor was "your cholesterol is on the good side of high". What? "Blood pressure is OK". What is OK? "Everything else looks fine". What is fine and what is everything else?
DavidGrahamJones sounds like you are involved in helping others - bravo! My hat is off to you. You also question "authority" and want to know about things that affect you. We are in the minority of doers, but we are the ones that help to bring about change and help others see how they can help themselves. I see many on this forum that are likewise.
As the saying goes, "Carry On!".