Diabetes Australia today applauded the Australian Labor Party’s commitment to people with diabetes following their announcement of $84 million to improve access to diabetes technology including continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin pumps.

Diabetes Australia CEO A/Professor Greg Johnson said the funding would help more than 6000 Australians with diabetes access potentially life saving technology

“Over a number of years Diabetes Australia has made the case for subsidised CGM and the expansion of the Insulin Pump Program and we are very pleased Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Shadow Health Minister Catherine King have made a real commitment to people with type 1 diabetes,” A/Professor Johnson said.

“Evidence shows CGM and insulin pump therapy can help improve people’s diabetes management and assist people in avoiding or reducing the impact of very serious hypoglycaemia (dangerously low BGLs and potential for loss of consciousness and coma).

“It can also significantly reduce the fear and anxiety associated with diabetes-related health issues. This fear can have a major impact on the lives of people with type 1 diabetes and their families.

“We are very pleased that the ALPs commitment is targeted towards people who will benefit the most: children, pregnant women and people who experience severe hypoglycaemia and have hypoglycaemia unawareness.”

A/Professor Johnson said Diabetes Australia had worked closely with its partners across the sector to develop a proposal for CGM funding that would support people with diabetes and deliver clear benefits to the Australian health system.

“We worked with our partners in the sector, including JDRF Australia, the Australian Diabetes Society, the Australian Paediatric Endocrine Group and the Australian
Diabetes Educators Association to develop a submission highlighting the clear cost benefits of expanding access to this technology,” he said.

“Last year we also hosted an awareness event at Parliament House to bring politicians together with young people with diabetes and their families.”

A/Professor Johnson said the organisation regularly spoke to people and families who would benefit from the technology.

“For some people, CGM technology and insulin pump therapy are real “game changer” that gives them a new outlook on life,” he said.

“On behalf of Australia’s type 1 diabetes community I’d like to thank the Australian Labor Party for their support.”

Currently in Australia, there are around 120,000 who will potentially benefit from this announcement.