Ann: Study shows diabetes drug improves PromarkerD risk scores, page-31

Hi Scotty,

Approved for use in Australia, but the reason Janssen withdrew it above, it all came down to the Australian Govt not wanting to subsidise the cost on the PBS without a 40% price cut.

This may change, initially at this time, SGLT2is were for glycaemic control only. The cardiorenal benefits were not in the equation.

Now with cardiorenal benefits demonstrated in a multitude of studies & drugs becoming less costly as time goes on and market competition. Cost vs benefit, a better argument for subsidising on the PBS with more indications/benefit.

There are other SGLT2is now available in Australia with comparable costs. As usual with newer drugs & indivations, we are miles behind the 8 ball in Australia.

It can be a battle to get higher cost drugs onto the PBS, they are approved for use, but out of reach of most of us without being subsidised.

Regardless, it doesn’t change PromarkerD utility as a prognostic test for Australians.

Clinical guidelines show evidence for using this class of drugs. A recent article from Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP):

https://www1.racgp.org.au/getattachment/3e2b9a1c-6ed5-45e2-b4e3-7f07d08efae6/Use-of-sodium-glucose-co-transporter-2-inhibitors.aspx

Having a potential clinical tool (CDx) to monitor the benefits for patients, when to potentially start them on the drug (Prognostic risk score), I think could also be a game changer.

GLTAH