The Australian government has expanded the subsidised access to the latest generation of Dexcom's continuous glucose monitoring device, Dexcom G6, for diabetic Australians.

This comes as the previous version of the CGM device, Dexcom G5, is being phased out in the country by local distributor AMSL Diabetes due to international supply chain issues.

Dexcom G6 features a one-touch applicator; a touch screen receiver that displays real-time glucose data; and a sensor and a transmitter that is different to the G5  – its transmitter has the same three-month lifespan but the G6 sensor lasts for 10 days.

WHY IT MATTERS

In Australia last year, more than 120,000 people were diagnosed with diabetes, bringing the country's total diabetic population to about 1.8 million.

The CGM initiative started in 2017 to provide people with type 1 diabetes with fully subsidised access to CGM products. It is part of the National Diabetes Services Scheme operated by Diabetes Australia.

To prevent delays in patients' treatment, the federal government has expanded the listing for the Dexcom G6 to all 58,000 eligible participants of the CGM initiative from just a limited number of people since January last year. 

From 1 March, about 7,500 users of the Dexcom G5 will be automatically transitioned to the latest CGM model.

"The Morrison Government remains committed to ensuring all Australians have access to the latest health care products when and where they need them," said Health Minister Greg Hunt in a media release. 

THE LARGER CONTEXT

The Australian government recently pledged to invest over A$300 million ($210 million) in the CGM initiative over the next four years. Last year, the NDSS delivered more than 5.9 million diabetes products worth over A$186 million ($130 million) to its beneficiaries.

Meanwhile, the government's decade-long national strategy in battling diabetes was released in November. The Australian National Diabetes Strategy 2021-2030 primarily seeks to utilise the latest research and evidence to enhance the prevention, early detection, management, and care for people with diabetes.