Diabetes Australia has applauded Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler’s decision to extend access to Fiasp insulin and Fiasp FlexTouch via the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for an additional six months.

Under the arrangements, people who already have a current prescription for Fiasp will be able to access Fiasp for the next six months.

“The Government will continue to act in the best interests of Australians living with type 1 diabetes,” Minister Butler said.

Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain thanked Minister Butler for his quick intervention to allow continued access to the insulin for around 15,000 Australians living with diabetes.

“Living with diabetes can be very difficult and people should be able to access the best available insulins and medicines, at an affordable price, to have their best quality of life and reduce the impact of diabetes-related complications,” Ms Cain said.

“Minister Butler has demonstrated that the Albanese Government understands how important it is to give people living with type 1 diabetes access to the affordable medicines and technologies they need to manage the condition.

“Diabetes Australia actively made our concerns known to the Government about the significant impact of Novo Nordisk’s decision to delist Fiasp from the PBS.

“We are very grateful that Minister Butler listened and acted to help the thousands of people living with diabetes who were going to be impacted.”

Ms Cain said she hoped the Government and Novo Nordisk could come to an agreement that would see Fiasp remain on the PBS for the foreseeable future.

“We hope that over the next six months the Department of Health and Novo Nordisk continue discussions and reach an agreement that benefits people living with diabetes,” she said.

“I’d also like to acknowledge Australia’s diabetes community, including the Australian Diabetes Society,  the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, JDRF Australia, the Australia and New Zealand Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes and the Australian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society, as well as the thousands of passionate and committed diabetes advocates.

“When Australia’s diabetes community is united in the fight for change, we can achieve anything.”