July 15, 2010
A $45 million Clinical Trial Network for Type 1 diabetes in Australia would be established under a Coalition Government in partnership with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), according to The Nationals Member for Gippsland Darren Chester.
This week’s policy announcement coincides with Diabetes Awareness Week which is occurring across Australia.
Mr Chester has welcomed the Coalition’s commitment which would provide $35 million for the Clinical Trial Network, with JDRF providing a further $10 million.
Mr Chester has been actively campaigning on behalf of young Gippslanders with Type 1 diabetes for improved support services.
Earlier this year progress was made after community pressure resulted in the Federal Government increasing the maximum subsidy under the Type 1 Diabetes Insulin Pump Program from $2500 to $6400, or up to 80% of the pump price.
Mr Chester said the Clinical Trial Network would pursue a cure for Type 1 diabetes from next year. In the meantime those affected by the disease would have access to treatments 5-10 years before they would otherwise become available in Australia.
“Statistics show that of the 140,000 affected by Type 1 diabetes an estimated 20,000 are children,” Mr Chester said.
“Sadly, this means hundreds of families living in regional areas like Gippsland are affected by the disease.
“The establishment of a Clinical Trial Network could bring researchers closer to a cure.
“In the meantime, it will allow people with diabetes to join international clinical trials for promising new treatments and technologies.”
Mr Chester said The Nationals in Coalition had led the way in providing funding for diabetes research, delivering $30 million to the JDRF in 2006 to establish the Islet Transplantation Programme.