Thousands of Australian type-2 diabetics could benefit from new treatments after a slew of new drugs secured government funding.
The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will extend funding Forxiga, Xigduo XR, Jardiance and Trajenta, which will be used in new triple-medicine therapies along with diabetes management drugs Qtern and Glyxambi.
Diabetes is an incurable condition where the body is unable to maintain healthy levels of blood sugar.
"I expect that this new PBS option will help many doctors to support their patients to achieve and maintain blood glucose targets in a durable manner, which can help to prevent diabetic complications," University of Sydney Endocrinologist Stephen Twigg said in a statement on Sunday.
Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, limb amputations and increases the risk of heart attack, strokes and mental health.
Type-2 diabetes is a consequence of the obesity epidemic and represents about 85 per cent of all cases, Diabetes Australia says on its website.
The peak national body estimates two million Australians are at high risk of developing type-2 and may be showing early signs of the disease.
