Media Releases

Diabetes Australia applauds the decision by Health Minister Greg Hunt and the Federal Government to list Ryzodeg on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 30 July 2018.

Ryzodeg is a combination of ultra-long acting and rapid-acting insulin delivered in a once-daily injection that will eliminate the need for multiple daily injections and make diabetes management easier and less intrusive for some people.

Insulin injections are one of the most intrusive parts of living with diabetes. All people living with type 1 diabetes who are not using insulin pumps and many people with type 2 diabetes have to inject themselves with insulin multiple times during the day.

Australians with all types of diabetes, who often see a range of health professionals to manage their condition, could see the biggest health benefits from having a My Health Record.

My Health Record is an online health record, that enables the safe storage, access and sharing of important health information. It will improve communication between GPs, endocrinologists (diabetes specialists), diabetes educators, optometrists, podiatrists and other health professionals that provide care to people with diabetes.

Leading diabetes and eye health groups today applauded the Australian Government funding announcement for a new national diabetes eye screening program to reduce vision loss and blindness in people with diabetes.

The Australian-first initiative program is a major step in the fight against diabetes related blindness and will enable early detection and treatment to protect the sight of over 1.2 million Australians living with diabetes.

Diabetes Australia has warned that failure to implement a comprehensive national type 2 diabetes early detection program could be costing the Australian health system more than $700 million each year.

Health groups are calling for more Australians to have a HbA1c blood test to better detect silent, undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Diabetes Australia CEO Professor Greg Johnson said the HbA1c test, which can measure long-term blood glucose levels, is recommended both for diagnosing and monitoring the management of type 2 diabetes. Until recently the HbA1c test was only used for monitoring diabetes but it is now recommended for diagnosing type 2 diabetes.

The 18 leading health and community organisations behind Rethink Sugary Drink have noted with interest the pledge by Australia’s non-alcoholic drinks companies to cut sugar across the industry by one-fifth, but would prefer to see more genuine reformulation efforts.

A national survey by Diabetes Australia has found two thirds of people with type 2 diabetes don’t know heart disease is the number one cause of death for people with type 2 diabetes.

Only 12 per cent of people thought they were at risk of heart disease and 6 per cent thought they were personally at risk of having a heart attack.

Up to 280 children and young people with type 1 diabetes will be able to access fully subsidised insulin pumps thanks to a significant expansion of the Insulin Pump Program announced in the 2018-19 Federal Budget.

Diabetes Australia CEO Professor Greg Johnson said the funding boost was very welcome.

Diabetes Australia and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) have joined forces to encourage more than 650,000 Australians with diabetes aged over 65 to receive a flu vaccination, after a nightmare 2017 flu season claimed more than 1000 lives.

Diabetes Australia CEO Professor Greg Johnson urged Australians to heed the warnings after last year’s flu season and get a flu shot this year.

“All Australians with diabetes should get the flu shot, but older Australians are at a higher risk of severe flu and even death,” Professor Johnson said.

“This year, the Australian Government is funding two new enhanced flu vaccines for over-65s, as well as the regular flu shot that is available free to all Australians with diabetes.”

New treatments for diabetes-related heart disease are a major focus of the 2018 Diabetes Australia Research Program Grants announced in Melbourne last night.

Diabetes Australia CEO Professor Greg Johnson said heart disease was one of the most significant and serious complications confronting people with diabetes.