Fiasp Penfill to be on PBS from October after ADEA advocacy

The federal government is listing Fiasp Penfill on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 October for people affected by the removal of Fiasp vial and Fiasp FlexTouch.

In a statement on 18 September, the government said it had negotiated with Novo Nordisk to list Fiasp Penfill and that the listing was welcomed news for the more than 15,000 Australians living with diabetes.

It comes after the ADEA, other leading advocacy organisations, and people living with diabetes provided feedback about the removal of the vial and FlexTouch products from the PBS.

Supplier Novo Nordisk announced the removal of those products from the PBS from 1 April for commercial reasons.

The government then secured access to the two products, containing the fast-acting insulin aspart, for another six months under ‘Supply Only’ arrangements.

Fiasp Penfill contains the same insulin in the same volume as the previously PBS-listed Fiasp products but is delivered through a different, newer device.

People prescribed Fiasp Penfill can use the new NovoPen 6 as their insulin delivery device, which is provided free of charge and can be ordered through pharmacies.

Available under the same conditions as the previous PBS listing, Fiasp Penfill quickly reduces blood sugars and helps to minimise spikes after eating.

Minister for Health Mark Butler said, ‘Australians with type 1 diabetes can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they will continue to have affordable access to fast-acting insulin’.

‘The Albanese Government has worked hard to secure an ongoing solution to the commercial decision to delist the original products,’ Mr Butler said.

‘We understand how important it is for people with type 1 diabetes to have access to a stable supply of products and medications to manage their illness.’

Cem Ozenc, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Novo Nordisk Oceania, said the organisation considered the views of Australians living with diabetes in its decision to list this alternative form of Fiasp.

‘Novo Nordisk looks forward to continuing a positive, solutions-focused working relationship with the Department of Health and the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care for our future medicines portfolio,’ Mr Ozenc said.

Fiasp Penfill to be on PBS from October after ADEA advocacy

The federal government is listing Fiasp Penfill on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from 1 October for people affected by the removal of Fiasp vial and Fiasp FlexTouch.

In a statement on 18 September, the government said it had negotiated with Novo Nordisk to list Fiasp Penfill and that the listing was welcomed news for the more than 15,000 Australians living with diabetes.

It comes after the ADEA, other leading advocacy organisations, and people living with diabetes provided feedback about the removal of the vial and FlexTouch products from the PBS.

Supplier Novo Nordisk announced the removal of those products from the PBS from 1 April for commercial reasons.

The government then secured access to the two products, containing the fast-acting insulin aspart, for another six months under ‘Supply Only’ arrangements.

Fiasp Penfill contains the same insulin in the same volume as the previously PBS-listed Fiasp products but is delivered through a different, newer device.

People prescribed Fiasp Penfill can use the new NovoPen 6 as their insulin delivery device, which is provided free of charge and can be ordered through pharmacies.

Available under the same conditions as the previous PBS listing, Fiasp Penfill quickly reduces blood sugars and helps to minimise spikes after eating.

Minister for Health Mark Butler said, ‘Australians with type 1 diabetes can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they will continue to have affordable access to fast-acting insulin’.

‘The Albanese Government has worked hard to secure an ongoing solution to the commercial decision to delist the original products,’ Mr Butler said.

‘We understand how important it is for people with type 1 diabetes to have access to a stable supply of products and medications to manage their illness.’

Cem Ozenc, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of Novo Nordisk Oceania, said the organisation considered the views of Australians living with diabetes in its decision to list this alternative form of Fiasp.

‘Novo Nordisk looks forward to continuing a positive, solutions-focused working relationship with the Department of Health and the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care for our future medicines portfolio,’ Mr Ozenc said.