PBS approval for more diabetes treatments

The PBS has now approved a combination DPP4 inhibitor and SGLT2 inhibitor medication for patients with type 2 diabetes.

The PBS has now approved a combination DPP4 inhibitor and SGLT2 inhibitor medication for patients with type 2 diabetes.

The empagliflozin and linagliptin combination (Glyxambi) is a once-daily oral medication, approved in conjunction with metformin in patients who have failed to achieve good blood sugar control with two existing oral anti-diabetic therapies.

“Good diabetes management necessitates that glucose-lowering therapy is vigorously intensified as the condition progresses in order to achieve improved glycaemic control and to prevent or slow down a range of diabetic complications,” Professor Mark Cooper, head of the department of diabetes at Monash University, said in a statement released by manufacturers Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly.

The medication is contraindicated in patients with severe kidney disease, and there is a slightly elevated risk of hypoglycaemia when used in combination with a sulfonylurea or insulin, and in genital and urinary tract infections.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt also announced the PBS approval of a longer lasting and higher strength insulin, Toujeo, Dapagliflozin (Forziga), Dapagliflozin with metformin (Xigduo XR), and Dapagliflozin with saxagliptin (Qtern).

The indications of another suite of diabetes drugs have also been expanded, including empagliflozin (Jardiance), empagliflozin with metformin (Jardiamet) and linagliptin with metformin (Trajentamet).

“The PBS changes announced by health minister Hunt are a clear indication of the government’s willingness to up the ante in the fight against diabetes,” Wes Cook, managing director of Boehringer Ingelheim, said.