Delivering cheaper medicines for diabetes

The Australian Government is making medicines cheaper for over a hundred thousand Australians living with type 2 diabetes mellitus and with high risk of heart disease through expanded treatment options under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).
 
The PBS listings for dapagliflozin (Forxiga®) and dapagliflozin with metformin (Xigduo®) have been expanded to allow earlier access to dapagliflozin in combination with metformin for people with type 2 diabetes who also have cardiovascular disease or are at high risk of cardiovascular disease.
 
The expanded listings mean people living with type 2 diabetes with, or at high risk of, cardiovascular disease can now get these treatments earlier from their GP or specialist without having to wait for their blood sugar to increase to 7 per cent.
 
Diabetes is the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia, and one of the ten leading causes of death. About 125 new cases of T2DM are diagnosed each day.
 
T2DM is a condition where there are high levels of glucose in the blood, which can lead to serious health problems, including damage to the heart, kidneys, eyes and feet.
 
Cardiovascular disease is the biggest cause of death among people with diabetes, and around 30 per cent of people with type 2 diabetes also have cardiovascular disease.
 
Around 116,000 Australians are expected to benefit from this listing each year, who without subsidy, might pay more than $600 for a year of treatment. This PBS listing will mean that eligible patients will pay a maximum of $31.60 per script or just $7.70 with a concession card.
 
Since July 2022, the Australian Government has approved extra funding for 277 new and amended listings on the PBS.
 
Quotes attributable to Minister Butler:
 
“We are giving over a hundred thousand Australians living with type 2 diabetes more options for cheaper treatment.
 
“Ensuring affordable access to life-changing and life-saving treatments is a key focus for the Albanese Government.
 
“The expanded listing of Forxiga and Xigduo is not just good for the hip pockets for Australians living with type 2 diabetes, it’s also good for their health.”