Ultra-fast insulin Fiasp to be removed from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme

Affordable access to ultra-fast insulin has been extended, after diabetics raised concerns about an imminent price hike.

Lisa and Lily Cameron. Lily has type 1 diabetes and uses Fiasp.

Affordable access to ultra-fast insulin has been extended, after diabetics raised concerns about an imminent price hike.

Fiasp, which can be administered minutes before eating, was due to be taken off the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), raising its cost from $84 a year to more than $2500 and making it unaffordable for many Australians.

But on Friday, Health Minister Mark Butler announced the federal government had secured access to Fiasp and Fiasp FlexTouch on the PBS for Australians living with type 1 diabetes for the next six months.

Mr Butler said the sponsor of the drug, Novo Nordisk, had decided to remove Fiasp from the PBS for commercial reasons on April 1.

Mr Butler said under the “supply only” arrangements to be implemented by the government from April 1, patients who already had a prescription would be able to refill their current scripts and repeat scripts over the next six months.

He said if people had previously used Fiasp, and did not have a current prescription, they should go to their doctor before April 1 to ensure they could access Fiasp through the supply only period, or to discuss longer term treatment alternatives.

He said the government would continue to work with diabetes advocacy groups and industry to ensure Australians living with type 1 diabetes would have access to fast acting insulin beyond the supply only period.

Earlier this month Geelong-based Type 1 Foundation founder Ange Liston-McCaughley said the price hike would be felt by many families.

Novo Nordisk has said the drug was being removed from the PBS due to “the government’s decision to implement a significant price cut” on Fiasp, which meant it would not be commercially viable.

Mr Butler said: “The decision by Novo Nordisk to withdraw Fiasp from the PBS has been deeply disappointing and distressing for Australians living with Type 1 diabetes and their families.”

Earlier: Ultra-fast insulin to cost $2500 a year

When 14-year-old Lily Cameron was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes her life changed forever.

Then aged nine, Lily had to learn to manage the lifelong condition and lost much of her childhood freedom.

Sleepovers, excursions, camps and everyday activities became difficult as Lily had to test her blood sugar levels and administer insulin nearly an hour before eating.

About 18 months ago Lily, who lives in Geelong, regained much of her lost freedom when she started using Fiasp – an ultra-fast insulin that can be administered minutes before eating.

But this month that drug will be taken off the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), raising its cost from $84 a year to more than $2500 and making it unaffordable for many Australians.

Lily’s mum, Lisa Cameron, said the move was “pretty devastating”.

“When you have an insulin that works well it reduces the chance of long-term complications,” she said.

“It’s a really big step backwards to take this off the market.”

Lily and mum Lisa Cameron. Lily has type 1 diabetes and uses Fiasp.

Ms Cameron said previously Lily would have to step out of class to take insulin before lunch time.

She said Lily often didn’t do this and ate after taking the slower acting insulin, which left her blood sugars “out of range”.

Irregular blood sugar levels can cause damage to blood vessels and lead to a heart attack, stroke, and problems with vision, gums and nerves.

Now, Lily can take her insulin and eat safely with her peers.

“(With Fiasp) the workload to manage diabetes has decreased so much, it help us maintain it so much more,” Ms Cameron said.

A petition calling on the government and the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, to keep Fiasp on the PBS has gained more than 20,000 signatures.

Type 1 Foundation CEO and founder Ange Liston-McCaughley. Picture: Alison Wynd

Geelong-based Type 1 foundation founder Ange Liston-McCaughley, whose daughter Lila has diabetes, said the price hike would be felt by many families.

“This insulin has changed lives. That’s not an over exaggeration, they now live a freer life and the risk of complications can be avoided,” she said.

A Diabetes Australia spokesperson said the organisation was aware the pending removal of the drug from the PBS was “causing to distress” to some families.

“We have conveyed our concerns to Novo Nordisk and the government, and are continuing these discussions to see what can be done to reduce the impact on people living with diabetes who are using this medication,” the spokesperson said.

A Novo Nordisk spokesman said the drug was being removed from the PBS due to “the government’s decision to implement a significant price cut” on Fiasp, which meant it would not be commercially viable.

A spokeswoman for federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the department was notified Novo Nordisk’s decision to remove Fiasp from the PBS on February 22.

Originally published as Ultra-fast insulin Fiasp to be removed from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme