THE federal government will stump up $100 million to support type 1 diabetes patients.
It will expand free access to glucose monitoring devices from children to include low-income adults, pregnant and breastfeeding women.
The move will save about 200 Redland residents about $7000 a year.
MP Andrew Laming announced the $100 million investment as part of a national expansion of the program to cover 37,000 eligible people.
“The Morrison government’s strong economic management means we can make sure more patients have access to more life-saving and life-improving medicines and treatments,” Mr Laming said.
From March 1 next year, eligibility for fully subsidised continuous glucose monitoring devices will be expanded under the National Diabetes Services Scheme to include:
# Women with type 1 diabetes who are pregnant, breastfeeding or planning pregnancy;
# People with type 1 diabetes aged 21 years or older who have concessional status, and who have a high clinical need like recurrent severe hypoglycaemic events; and
# Children and young people with conditions similar to type 1 diabetes who require insulin.
This includes a range of conditions like cystic fibrosis-related diabetes or neonatal diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that attacks a person’s ability to produce insulin. People with this condition must be able to monitor their glucose levels day and night.
Continuous glucose monitoring devices monitor glucose levels and provide alerts if levels drop too low.
It involves a sensor, usually attached to the stomach, and an alarm that can alert people or their carer.
In line with a commitment made during the 2016 election, the government has made access to glucose monitoring products available to eligible children and young people aged under 21 years with type 1 diabetes – nearly 9500 people – through the National Diabetes Services Scheme.