Protecting Australia’s supply of diabetes drugs such as Ozempic, expanding access to life-changing glucose-monitoring technology, and charging a levy on sugar-sweetened drinks are measures being proposed to tackle the diabetes epidemic, after new statistics revealed at least 1.5 million across the country are now living with the condition.
The number of people with diabetes in Australia rose by 32 per cent in the decade since 2013, according to Australian Institute of Health and Welfare figures released last week.
Ozempic shortages have been a constant source of stress and frustration for Jill Donohoo. Credit: Nikki Short
In its State of the Nation report published on Monday, Diabetes Australia estimated the number was probably closer to 2 million when including people without a diagnosis, and made 25 recommendations aimed at curbing what it described as “an epidemic that shows no signs of abating”.
“The diabetes epidemic is growing at an alarming rate – more than 300 people are being diagnosed every day,” chief executive Justine Cain said. “For decades there have been calls for a national diabetes prevention plan, and today … we still don’t have one.”
Among the recommendations aimed at prevention are proposals for a 20 per cent levy on sugar-sweetened drinks and a mandated health star rating on all packaged foods.
The advocacy body and diabetes support provider also wants to boost supply of GLP-1 receptor agonist medications such as semaglutide (Ozempic) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro), and stronger regulation that would guarantee access for people who need it to treat their type 2 diabetes.
The off-label use of the medications for weight loss has exploded in popularity since 2022, leading to global shortages and businesses making millions selling replicas at a premium.
Jill Donohoo, from Belmore in Sydney’s south-west, was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes three years ago and takes an injection of Ozempic once a week to help manage her blood glucose levels.
While her pharmacist has always prioritised access to Ozempic for diabetes patients, the intermittent shortages have been stressful and frustrating.
“I wouldn’t say I think about it all the time, but it has been on my mind … when I go to get it, will it be there, or will someone who has been following celebrity influencers have taken it?” Donohoo said.
“There was a period of time when it was really hard to get, and that was quite stressful – seeing people who didn’t really need it were getting the supply.”
Replica versions of weight-loss injections, where pharmacists have made the compound themselves, will be outlawed from October after Health Minister Mark Butler said the products were a risk to public safety.
Diabetes Australia supported the ban. It will mean at least 20,000 Australians currently using replica weight-loss injections will no longer be able to access the medication.
Butler said the government was awaiting the findings from a parliamentary committee inquiry on diabetes, but changes to Medicare and general practice were making a difference for people with the condition.
“Getting in to see your doctor and being able to afford your diabetes medication is critical in managing diabetes,” he said. “This has been our priority.”
Advancements in technology for managing type 1 diabetes have made life “as close to normal as possible” for former AFL footballer Paddy McCartin. Credit: Wolter Peeters
Butler said the government had also subsidised continuous glucose-monitoring technology for the 137,000 Australians with type 1 diabetes (a chronic autoimmune condition not linked to lifestyle factors), and expanded access to insulin pumps for people under 21.
Diabetes Australia said the cost of the technology, up to $5000 a year, is still prohibitive for most adults, and wants the subsidy expanded to priority groups, such as pregnant women with type 2 diabetes.
Former AFL footballer Paddy McCartin uses a smartphone-enabled form of the glucose-monitoring and insulin-pump technology, sourced privately through an ambassador role with medical technology company Medtronic.
When he was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an eight-year-old, his treatment involved countless finger pricks and four injections a day. Now, his pump automatically monitors glucose levels and provides insulin on demand.
“It’s a condition that is with you every day. It can really affect you physically, mentally and emotionally,” said McCartin, who played for St Kilda and Sydney. “With this tech I’m as close to living without type 1 as possible, and the fact that it’s not accessible to everyone seems ridiculous to me.”
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