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The National Diabetes Services Scheme is undergoing some improvementsImportant information about the changes for health professionals

From 1 December 2018, there will be changes to some products available through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS). These changes are limited to some insulin syringes and some blood glucose test strips.

There will be no changes for more than 95 per cent of people.

People with diabetes who are registered on the NDSS will still be able to access subsidised blood glucose test strips and insulin syringes. For most people, there will be no changes to the product they currently use. A very limited number of people on the NDSS will be affected as some of the brands that are currently available on the NDSS will change.

If an individual’s usual brand of product is no longer subsidised through the NDSS, a clinically equivalent product will be available. Health professionals may wish to discuss these changes with their patient.

Further advice about the changes to the NDSS Product Schedule can be found at ndss.com.au or by calling the NDSS Helpline on 1300 136 588.

Why are these changes happening?To ensure the ongoing sustainability of the NDSS, the Department of Health (the Department) has undertaken a review of products subsidised under the NDSS. This included blood glucose test strips, insulin syringes and urine ketone test strips.

The Department considered a number of submissions from product vendors. Based on the analysis undertaken by the Department in consultation with relevant experts, a new range of products has been determined and will come into effect for the NDSS Product Schedule from 1 December 2018. These changes include the removal of some product brands and the addition of new product brands.

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How will this impact people registered on the NDSS?Most people registered on the NDSS will not be impacted by the changes.

People who are impacted can be reassured that there will be no additional cost to NDSS registrants for insulin syringes and the cost of blood glucose test strips will either remain the same or decrease. There will be no new restrictions to accessing products.

Further, NDSS Access Points (usually community pharmacies) are aware of the changes and have been provided assistance to ensure ease of transition for people with diabetes who have to change from accessing their current brand through the NDSS to an equivalent subsidised product at the time of resupply.

The Department has written to all people registered with the NDSS who are expected to be directly impacted by these changes. These individuals have been encouraged to seek further information through the NDSS website and the NDSS Helpline on 1300 136 588, and to speak with their healthcare team if they have concerns about changing their current brand of product.

What products are changing?

Blood Glucose Test StripsA number of different brands of blood glucose test strips will be removed from the NDSS from 1 December 2018.

If a person registered on the NDSS needs to change their brand of blood glucose test strips, they are eligible to receive a free blood glucose meter associated with their preferred new brand.

Arrangements for accessing a free blood glucose meter may vary between brands. Information about how to access the free meter is provided at ndss.com.au or by calling the NDSS Helpline on 1300 136 588.

Insulin syringesFollowing expert clinical advice recommending that it is better for people with diabetes to use syringes with shorter needles, 13mm and 12.7mm syringes will no longer be available through the NDSS. However, 8mm and 6mm syringes will continue to be subsidised through the NDSS.

If an individual is currently using 13mm or 12.7mm syringes, they are encouraged to speak with their healthcare team about using syringes with a shorter needle.

Urine ketone test stripsThere are no changes to urine ketone test strips currently available under the NDSS.

Other NDSS productsOther products subsidised under the NDSS, including insulin pump consumables and continuous glucose monitoring products, are not affected by these changes.

Further informationFurther information about the changes to the NDSS Product Schedule can be found at ndss.com.au You can also call the NDSS Helpline on 1300 136 588.

All products on the schedule are registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods and meet or exceed the relevant international standard. [Blood glucose meter systems – ISO 15197:2013 (E); syringes – ISO 8537:2016 (E)].

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Summary of the changes to the NDSS Products Schedule

NDSS listings to be removed from 1 December 2018

Supplier name Product Category

Bioptik Systems EasyMate II Glucose Test Strips BGTS Delisted

Boian Surgical Pty Ltd Attest Vivachek Ino Strips BGTS Delisted

Diamedica Pty Ltd GE200 Blood Glucose Test Strips BGTS Delisted

IBD Consulting Dario BGTS Delisted

Infopia Australia Pty Ltd Healthpro Blood Glucose Test Strips BGTS Delisted

Medical Specialties Australasia GlucoDr Blood Glucose Strips BGTS Delisted

National Diagnostic Products

Betachek Reagent Strips BGTS Delisted

Betachek G5 Strips BGTS Delisted

Betachek C50 Blood Glucose Test Cassette BGTS Delisted

Glucoflex-R Reagent Strips BGTS Delisted

Nipro Australia Pty Ltd

TrueBalance Strips BGTS Delisted

TrueResult Strips BGTS Delisted

TrueTrack Strips BGTS Delisted

Pharmaco (Australia) Ltd CareSens Reagent Strips BGTS Delisted

Point Of Care Diagnostics Sensocard Strips BGTS Delisted

Propell Pty Ltd ATF Propell Trust iHealth Blood Glucose Test Strips BGTS Delisted

Sanofi-Aventis Australia Pty Ltd BGStar Strips BGTS Delisted

Becton Dickinson Pty Ltd

B-D Ultrafine 0.3ml 29G 12.7mm Syringe Delisted

B-D Ultrafine 0.5ml 29G 12.7mm Syringe Delisted

B-D Ultrafine 1.0ml 29G 12.7mm Syringe Delisted

TerumoTerumo 0.5mL29G 13mm Syringe Delisted

Terumo 1.0mL 29G x 13mm Syringe Delisted

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health.gov.auAll information in this publication is correct as at November 2018 12

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NDSS Product Schedule from 1 December 2018 (for diagnostic strips and syringes)

Vendor name Product Name Type

Roche Diabetes Care

Accu-Chek Aviva BGTS Ongoing

Accu-Chek Guide BGTS Ongoing

Accu-Chek Mobile BGTS Ongoing

Accu-Chek Performa BGTS Ongoing

PharmacoCareSens N BGTS Ongoing

CareSens Pro BGTS New

Ascensia Diabetes Care Contour Next BGTS Ongoing

Abbott Diabetes CareFreestyle Lite BGTS Ongoing

FreeStyle Optium BGTS Ongoing

Infopia Australia GluNEO BGTS Ongoing

Genesis BiotechLifesmart BGTS Ongoing

Lifesmart 2 Twoplus BGTS Ongoing

AMSL OneTouch Verio BGTS Ongoing

B Braun Australia Omnitest 3 BGTS New

Nipro Australia GlucoKey BGTS New

Trividia TRUEmetrix BGTS New

Bionime Australia GS700 BGTS New

Ascensia Diabetes CareKeto-Diastix Strips UTS Ongoing

Diastix Strips UTS Ongoing

Becton Dickinson Pty Ltd

B-D Ultra-Fine ll 0.3mL 31G x 8mm Syringe Ongoing

B-D Ultra-Fine ll 0.5mL 31G x 8mm Syringe Ongoing

B-D Ultra-Fine ll 1.0mL 31G x 8mm Syringe Ongoing

B-D Ultra-Fine 0.3mL 31G x 6mm Syringe New

B-D Ultra-Fine 0.5mL 31G x 6mm Syringe New

B-D Ultra-Fine 1.0mL 31G x 6mm Syringe New

Multigate Medical DevicesInsulin Syringe - Fixed Needle 8mm 27G 1.0ml Syringe New

Insulin Syringe - Fixed Needle 8mm 29G 1.0ml Syringe New