The Turnbull Government must take immediate steps to ensure blood glucose test strips remain affordable for people with Type 2 Diabetes.
The federal government subsidy for the vital test strips was removed for people who are not insulin dependent on July 1.
In taking this action the Government promised that there would be “no changes to the cost or types of products available under the NDSS” (National Diabetes Services Scheme) and that “The range of products available will not change, nor will the copayment you are required to pay”.
Despite this, Fairfax papers report diabetics will have to pay up to 50 times more for the strips that help them monitor their blood sugar levels.
The National Diabetes Services Scheme is also warning of shortages for many of the products essential to controlling diabetes for the more than half a million Australians registered as having Type 2 Diabetes, who are not insulin dependent.
In light of these reports, Labor calls on the Government to immediately investigate access to blood glucose test strips, and ensure hundreds of thousands of Australians with Type 2 Diabetes continue to receive the support they need to keep their condition under control.
We know from data published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare that the very people who are most likely to be affected by these cuts are those least likely to be able to afford them.
If patients are unable to afford these strips, their condition is likely to worsen, with major consequences for their health, and costing Australia’s healthcare system far more over the long-term.
TURNBULL GOVERNMENT MUST PROTECT DIABETES PATIENTS
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2016