New once-a-day fixed-dose medications for people with type 2 diabetes have been approved for inclusion on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

The two new treatments are linagliptin with metformin (sold as Trajenta Duo), and saxagliptin with metformin (sold as Kombiglyze).

Federal Health Minister Peter Dutton said that while people with type 2 diabetes already have access to the individual medications through the PBS, some need to use a combination of medicines to treat their diabetes.

“With the combination dose now listed on the PBS, these patients will save up to $36.90 every time they get a script filled because they will only have to buy one fixed dose medicine instead of two,†Mr Dutton said.

The new treatments are available via prescription. For more information, please contact your doctor or endocrinologist.