Achievements
Success with lobbying for ‘glitazones’
The culmination of three years of advocacy, with the listing of glitazones on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) on 1st November 2003, was a cause for celebration at Diabetes Australia. Glitazones, trade names Actos ® and Avandia ®, oral medications for the treatment of diabetes Type 2, were particularly valuable for those people with intolerance to the older sulphonylureas and metformins, or where use of these medications was not recommended because of other medical conditions. Before the availability of glitazones, the only alternative was to move to insulin injections.
Further advocacy was required when the tightness of the authorities relating to the prescribing of glitazones resulted in problems for people with diabetes and their doctors.
Success with inclusion of Insulin Pump Consumables on NDSS
Insulin pump consumables were listed on the National Diabetes Service Scheme (NDSS) on 1st September 2004. Before this date, there were a limited number of pump consumables on the NDSS, but these were based on the system that required insertion of metal needles. The listing of the new generation of insulin pump consumables – cartridges, plastic tubes and needles needed to connect the insulin pump, to allow monitored administrating of insulin - was very welcome news for insulin pump users, cutting their costs from several hundred dollars per month to $15 per month.
Negotiation on Aviation Security affecting people with Diabetes Australia
Following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, security arrangements at airports was vastly increased. In Australia, we found that bona fide travellers carrying ‘sharps’, such as needles required for insulin administration, were caught in the security net. Diabetes Australia negotiated with the Department of Transport and Regional Support (DoTARS), and guidelines were promulgated to airport security personnel and airlines. This document identified the types of ’sharps’ people with diabetes and others with certain medical conditions might need to carry, and gave guidelines for their screening.
Recently Diabetes Australia started to receive a renewed increasing number of complaints from people with diabetes regarding their treatment at security screening points. As such, we have again negotiated with DoTARS to have the guidelines updates, and reissued. Once the new guidelines are released, we will put them on the website.
Tidying-up misleading advertising – “SureSlim”
The SureSlim advertisement which stated that ‘Michelle’ had ‘given Type 2 diabetes the flick’ caused much concern for both educators and people with Type 2 diabetes. While ‘Michelle’ may have her diabetes under better control through following the program, the inference was that it was cured.
Diabetes Australia worked with SureSlim to correct the misleading advertisement, resulting in new advertisements referring mostly to clients being able to get their Type 2 diabetes ‘under control’ (due to better life choices).
DA thanks SureSlim for their assistance in this matter.
The Diabetes Australia Action Plan
Prior to the 2004 Federal Election, Diabetes Australia developed a plan for a better life for people with diabetes. This action plan, directed towards the incoming government, put forward 37 recommendations.
Re-sale of second-hand blood-glucose monitors
Following a needle stick injury to a lady who was looking at a second hand blood glucose meter, Diabetes Australia contacted the sellers, Cash Converters, and pointed out the issues with the re-sale of meters.
Once they fully understood the dangers, Cash Converters immediately notified their franchisees not to deal in second hand BGL meters. We would like to thank Cash Converters for their positive and rapid response.
Review of ADS Guidelines on SCUBA diving and diabetes
The current recommendations for scuba diving for people with diabetes are taken from the Australian Diabetes Society’s Position Statement on Scuba Diving 1994.
In response to the relaxing of guidelines around the world for scuba diving for people with diabetes, Diabetes Australia sought the opinion of noted diving and hyperbaric medicine experts. The review is currently being considered by Diabetes Australia’s Medical, Educational and Scientific Committee.
Recognition for Credentialed Diabetes Educators
Following representations from Diabetes Australia, Credentialed Diabetes Educators became eligible service providers under the provisions of MedicarePlus in 2004.
