Funding Increase for Insulin Pump Program

More children of low income families will benefit from a funding increase for Australia's Insulin Pump Program.

The Federal Government has provided an additional $870,000 for the program, which will enable a further 136 families to afford an insulin pump.

“Insulin pumps can particularly benefit children as they may find it more difficult to regularly monitor their blood sugar levels, follow structured eating and exercise plans, and receive daily injections,” Federal Minister for Health, Tanya Plibersek, said.  “Through the $6.1 million Type 1 Diabetes Insulin Pump Program, the Government covers up to 80 per cent of the cost of insulin pumps for eligible low income families.

 Subsidies to help cover the costs of insulin pumps are available to eligible families with an annual income of up to $101,653. The maximum subsidy is provided to eligible families with an annual family income of up to $71,230.
Ms Plibersek said with the incidence of type 1 diabetes in Australia increasing, it was important families took the right steps to manage the chronic disease.
“More than 1,000 young people under the age of 18 are being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes each year. There is no cure, and unlike many cases of type 2 diabetes, it is not caused by diet or lifestyle factors,” Ms Plibersek said.
The small computerised device delivers a slow, continuous level of insulin throughout the day. An insulin pump can be programmed to administer more or less insulin, when and if required.
The Type 1 Diabetes Insulin Pump Program was introduced in 2008 and has been administered by the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  Australians living with diabetes are supported by the Government through the subsidy of essential medicines under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) and products through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).
During 2011-12, expenditure on medicines for diabetes through the PBS—including insulin and diabetes test strips—was over $436 million, and expenditure on products for diabetes supplied through NDSS was over $164 million.