Media Releases - 17 July 2024

Around 90 people develop diabetes every day in Victoria.

“Advances in diabetes technology over the past few decades have improved quality of life and health outcomes for people living with all types of diabetes,” says Diabetes Victoria CEO Glen Noonan.

“Unfortunately, while some Victorians living with diabetes can access technologies such as continuous glucose monitoring devices and insulin pumps, they are simply too expensive for many people.

“Research shows that these devices are not only life changing, but they can also be lifesaving, as they ultimately reduce the risk of diabetes complications and hospitalisations.”

Diabetes Australia has this week released a policy paper, outlining the steps needed to create more affordable access to CGM devices and insulin pumps for people with all types of diabetes.

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

The proposal includes insulin pumps for people living with type 1 diabetes who are:
• under 21 years of age;
• over 21 years of age with a health care card; or
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

The proposal also includes CGM devices for people living with type 2 and other types of diabetes who are:
• pregnant;
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;
• under the age of 21; or
• requiring multiple daily injections of insulin.

“We wholeheartedly support this proposal and look forward to seeing how these steps can be implemented,” Mr Noonan says.

“Diabetes Victoria has long advocated for subsidised access to CGM for all people living with diabetes who require regular insulin.

“We believe every Australian with type 1 diabetes should have access to an automated insulin delivery (AID) system, should they choose to use one.”

To learn more about the impact of diabetes technology, visit our Diabetes Technology page.

Media enquiries: Britt Denton | bdenton@diabetesvic.org.au | 0488 133 316