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Media type: Media release

Audience: General public

Australians with type one diabetes will soon have free access to the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system, thanks to the Morrison Government’s $300 million Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Initiative.

The FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring device measures glucose levels without the use of lancets, test strips and blood.

A sensor worn on the back of the arm connects to a reader or mobile phone application, which in turn stores glucose levels day and night to help people manage their diabetes, and avoid dangerous hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia.

Our Government is also streamlining the eligibility criteria, to increase the number of Australians who can access fully subsidised glucose monitoring devices through the CGM scheme to 58,000 people, up from 37,000. An extra 21,000 people with type one diabetes.

This will be achieved by simplifying the clinical criteria for people with type 1 diabetes aged 21 years or older, and who have concessional status.

Under the scheme, from 1 March 2020, the Government will provide fully subsidised CGM products to a wider range of Australians, including:

Children and young people, under 21 years of age, with type 1 diabetes.

Children and young people with conditions very similar to type 1 diabetes, such as cystic fibrosis-related diabetes and neonatal diabetes, who require insulin.

Women with type 1 diabetes who are planning for pregnancy, pregnant, or immediately post-pregnancy.

People with type 1 diabetes aged 21 years or older and who have concessional status.

Without Government subsidy, these Australians would normally pay $92.50 every two weeks for the FreeStyle Libre flash glucose monitoring system – over $2,400 per year.

The introduction of FreeStyle Libre will increase the range of products available to support Australians with diabetes from 1 March 2020.

The Morrison Government is committed to supporting Australians with type 1 diabetes, investing over $300 million over four years from 2019-20 in the CGM Initiative.

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