Fast acting insulin now available on PBS

Diabetic adults now have greater access to fast-acting insulin, which can be taken just before eating a meal.

Fiasp, a new fast-acting insulin at mealtimes, has been subsidized by the government through an enrollment in the drug benefits program.

Senior Endocrinologist at St Vincent Hospital in Melbourne, David O'Neal says that this drug gives diabetic patients more flexibility and control.

"This allows them to live their lives as they hear and cure diabetes rather than controlling diabetes what they do," said Professor O. Neal at AAP.

"It certainly reduces the burden of illness for the patient."

Diabetes affects about 1.7 million Australians, and a quarter of these patients need to take insulin to control their blood sugar.

To manage blood sugar during a day, some people may need to inject it several times.

Slower acting insulins take about 15 to 20 minutes before a meal, while Fiasp can be taken in the same way that a person with diabetes is about to eat.

It is available in a pre-filled insulin pen called FlexTouch.

"It comes on board and then it goes away, and that's the benefit of that," said Professor O. Neal.

Patients say that Fiasp helped control their blood sugar after meals, he added.

According to Professor O. Neal, the PBS list will allow patients to have access to the drug, especially to those who need it most.

"People should have access to medicines based on need rather than resources," he said.

Although Fiasp is intended only for adults with diabetes, research is underway on a similar drug aimed at children and adolescents.