SPOKESMAN for Inverell Pharmacy Gregory Emmanuel has said the announced increase in the cost of diabetic test strips could affect hundreds of people at Inverell who manage their Type 2 diabetes.
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The federal government removed the subsidy on blood glucose test strips for people with type two diabetes who are not insulin dependent effective July 1.
Mr Emanuel said the strips cost about $1.30 on concession and about $16 on the general rate.
“From July 1, everyone who has Type 2 diabetes has six months and then after six months if they want to continue to monitor it they need to see their doctor and their doctor can say they need to continue,” he said.
Mr Emmanuel said if doctors wanted their patients to continue to pay the concessional rate to self-monitor, they would have to authorise the strips every six months.
“Most people would see their doctor every six months anyway, but I think, to be honest, it’s just more paperwork so more people won’t go to their doctor to get it and less people come in for strips,” he said.
Spokesperson for Seniors United Australia Chris Osborne said many people become victims of Type 2 diabetes as they become older and to stay healthy and active regular testing was required.
“To increase a box of 100 test strips to $60 will create enormous financial burdens on those seniors with fixed and low incomes,” he said.
Mr Osborne harshly criticised newly re-elected Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.
“We heard from the Prime Minister during the last days the recent election campaign that nothing would change with Medicare and here is his first test and he has failed, failed, failed”, he said.
“Politicians are all talk and it’s a matter of actions speaking greater than words in this case.
Diabetes Australia chief executive Greg Johnson said there had been universal access to the strips for 28 years and no evidence that they were being used wastefully.
"It sends the wrong message," Mr Johnson said.
"If the government wants people to take responsibility and it wants them to look after themselves, you've got to give them access to these things.
“The risk is that some people who no longer have access, their diabetes management will suffer and that may have a cost to the health system in the future."
