Diabetes technology slashes complications and healthcare costs, yet government funding lags

MedTech & Diagnostics News: A new study backs the recently released report from the Parliamentary Inquiry into Diabetes which recommends the expansion of subsidised access to CGM devices and insulin pumps.

Australian Diabetes Society (ADS) and Diabetes Australia have called for more affordable and equitable access to these life changing technologies to reduce the risk of life-threatening diabetes-related complications including blindness, cardiovascular disease and kidney failure for people living with type 2 diabetes.

“It is rewarding that we have come to the point today where we can say that we have the technology available, but we need to make it affordable for people to access,” said A/Professor Sof Andrikopoulos, CEO of ADS, during a Health Industry Hub interview.

Diabetes Australia Chief Medical Officer, Professor David Simmons, is a co-author on research presented at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) conference earlier this month. It studied people with type 2 diabetes on intensive insulin therapy in Australia.

The analysis shows CGM would cost the Federal Government $14,000 per person over a lifetime, and massively reduce eye, renal, neuropathy, and cardiovascular complications of the condition by 17.7%, 21.1%, 8.7% and 2.5% respectively.

Diabetes Australia is calling on the Federal Government to invest $200 million over four years in increased subsidies for CGM and insulin pumps.

“Over the past 100 years, advances in technology and medicines have delivered significant improvements in quality of life and health outcomes for people living with all types of diabetes,” Diabetes Australia Group CEO Justine Cain said.

“In 2022, the Federal Government implemented subsidised access to CGM devices for all people living with type 1 diabetes. This was a significant win for the type 1 diabetes community and has improved the lives of tens of thousands of Australians. But there’s more to be done.”

She further added, “While some Australians living with diabetes can access technologies such as CGM devices and insulin pumps, they are just too expensive for many people. There are so many Australians struggling with the rising cost of living who are missing out on life changing and potentially lifesaving diabetes technology.

“This research shows investing in diabetes technologies is proven to improve health and economic outcomes. There is a body of evidence which shows that these devices are game-changing in terms of managing blood glucose levels and improving time-in-range, which ultimately reduces diabetes complications and hospitalisations, and also improves quality of life.”

A new policy paper, released by Diabetes Australia, outlines the steps needed to create more affordable access to CGM devices and insulin pumps for people with all types of diabetes.

The paper includes economic modelling that shows a $200 million package of investment would support nearly 40,000 people living with diabetes to access these technologies, prioritising those with greatest need.

“If we can reduce the number of people who develop diabetes related complications like stroke, heart attack, blindness and kidney disease, we could reduce the economic burden on our health system by billions of dollars each year. This would also significantly improve the lives of people living with diabetes,” Cain said.

Professor Simmons said CGM was a cost-effective intervention to improve quality of life and reduce hospitalisations.

“CGM reduces hospital-type events, such as dialysis, and other things by improving glucose levels and monitoring.

“It not only improves quality of life but the length of life as well. As an advocate for people with diabetes, and someone looking at cost-effectiveness and hospital workloads, I think it is a win-win-win.”

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