Australians with type one diabetes will soon have free access to a new glucose monitoring system through a $300 million Morrison government initiative.
The FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring device measures glucose levels without the use of lancets, test strips and blood.
The government's Continuous Glucose Monitoring system will provide fully subsidised products from March 1, 2020 and help 58,000 Australians, Health Minister Greg Hunt said in a statement on Sunday.
"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," Mr Hunt said.
But Labor health spokesman Chris Bowen said the subsidy is being introduced a year later than promised.
He said it comes only after a massive community campaign by Australians with type one diabetes and the opposition, including the tabling of a petition of 214,000 signatures in parliament.
"Greg Hunt should apologise to Australians with type one diabetes for the delay," Mr Bowen said in a statement.
Australian Associated Press
