Political commitment to type 1 diabetes community receives mixed response

MedTech News: Diabetes Australia welcomes the commitment of both the Coalition and the Australian Labor Party to provide subsidised access to continuous glucose monitoring and flash glucose monitoring technology for all people living with type 1 diabetes.

However, those who had been waiting for good news about the reimbursement of the Omnipod DASH System have been left disappointed. 

Users are currently paying for the medical technology out of their own pocket despite commitments from the outgoing Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt. In late 2021, Mr Hunt told media “I guarantee if they approve it, we will fund it.” Despite being approved and recommended for funding, no further announcements or financial commitments have been made from either side of the political aisle.

Diabetes Australia Group CEO, Justine Cain, said the election commitment for the glucose monitoring technology was something Diabetes Australia had been advocating for over many years.

“Continuous and Flash glucose monitors are life-saving and life-changing for people living with type 1 diabetes,” Ms Cain said.

“Living with type 1 diabetes is a 24-hours-a-day, 365-days-a-year job and this technology helps make that job a lot easier. It reduces the daily burden of frequent finger prick checks and means people have to spend less of their time just managing diabetes. This can translate to improved mental and emotional health and a better quality-of-life.

“It also significantly improves health outcomes and lowers a person’s risk of both short-term complications like hypoglycaemia and long-term complications including blindness, heart and kidney disease and limb amputation. This is smart policy that will save the health system millions in the long run.”

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“I’d also like to acknowledge the tireless and powerful advocacy from the diabetes community including the Australian Diabetes Society, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, the Australasian Paediatric Endocrine Group, JDRF Australia, and of course, the people with diabetes and their families who have worked to advocate for this vital technology.

Ms Cain said that while the announcement was a very welcome there was still more to be done.

“It’s also important health professionals are able to offer the education and support that people need to get the best out of the technology. That’s why we are currently advocating for $526K per annum to support health professionals to deliver this training,” she said.

“We are still advocating for funding to support diabetes healthcare professionals in providing the healthcare and education to people who use the technology to help them get the best out of it.”

Despite the $273M commitment to deliver glucose monitoring devices, people who use the Omnipod DASH – a discreet, tubeless insulin pump – have been left out of any benefits as the technology does not fit with current funding models. 

Joanna Sader, Country Manager for Insulet Australia, said the company is doing everything it can to secure public funding for its Omnipod DASH system. 

“The Omnipod DASH insulin delivery system has been rigorously approved and a commitment was made by Minister Hunt to fund this technology. The Diabetes community need to know when this will happen. Hopefully good news will be coming,” said Ms Sader. 

Inclusion of Omnipod DASH System on the NDSS (National Diabetes Services Scheme) would create important equity of access for Australians living with type 1 diabetes. The type 1 diabetes community remains hopeful that the government will follow through on its funding promise prior to the federal election in May.