Diabetes drugs to be subsidised in Australia

Australian diabetics are set to have better access to treatment, as from October. The news comes following a decision by the federal government to list two new diabetes drugs on the pharmaceutical benefits scheme.
Diabetics, who often face financial burdens because of their disease, will possibly have to spend less money to get the treatment they want. The health minister, Tony Abbot, has said that two long-lasting insulin injections Lantus and Levemir will be subsidised as of October the 1st, in a move that will cost the government $145 million over the next three years.
The move is set to help over 200,000 Australian diabetics, and the government has estimated that 110,000 people will use these subsidised drugs in the first year alone. The drugs, according to the David Chisholm who is the professor of endocrinology at the St Vincent hospital in Sydney, may mean fewer injections for diabetics due to the long lasting nature of the insulin. The drugs also decrease the likelihood of a dangerous peak in insulin levels.