The first new therapy for type 1 diabetes in nearly a century, which works to delay the need for insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes, has been approved for use in Australia by the Therapeutic Goods Administration. 

Tzield (teplizumab) works to preserve beta cell and insulin production, delaying the autoimmune mechanism that drives type 1 diabetes, and could see thousands of Australians able to delay insulin therapy for an average of two years. 

It’s the result of nearly forty years’ of career-defining research from a dedicated team of researchers, and represents a major development for people aged 8+ and living with stage 2, type 1 diabetes.  

The therapy’s arrival in Australia represents a game-changing shift in treatment and management made possible through long-term funding support for critical research. 

Preserving beta cells and insulin, alongside understanding the autoimmune system mechanism, has long been a major goal of diabetes research globally. With this new listing, Australians will have access to cutting-edge medicine that will help thousands of Australians delay insulin therapy. 

Australian Diabetes Alliance member Breakthrough T1D have supported the research that led to this therapy since its inception in the late 1980s, funding a dedicated team of researchers for nearly forty years. 

Tzield will now be available for people living with stage 2 type 1 diabetes, however is not listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).  

More than 145,000 Australians live with type 1 diabetes, with a further 25,000 estimated to be living with early-stage or undiagnosed type 1 diabetes.  

Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune condition where the body’s own immune system destroys the beta cells in the pancreas which produce insulin.  

We don’t yet know the cause and currently there is no cure.   

Diabetes and depression/anxiety are common health problems. Many people around the world live with them. Some people only have one, but others live with both. Diabetes can make a person more likely to feel depressed, and depression can make it harder to manage diabetes. This article explains how these two problems are connected and why it is important to treat both.

What is depression?

Depression is an illness that makes you feel very sad or tired for a long time. You may not want to do things you used to enjoy. Other signs include trouble sleeping, eating too much or too little, and difficulty concentrating. Depression can affect both your daily life and your physical health.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is when your brain feels worried or scared—even if nothing dangerous is happening. It’s like your body’s alarm system going off when you think something bad might happen. It’s normal to feel anxious sometimes, such as before an important life event. However, if you often feel anxious, even when things are going well, it can make life harder.

How common is it?

People with diabetes can be depressed or anxious more often than people without diabetes. show that if someone has diabetes, they are almost twice as likely to be depressed, regardless of the type of diabetes. That’s why health professionals check for depression in people living with diabetes.

How diabetes can lead to depression/anxiety

• Daily stress: Taking care of diabetes is hard work. Monitoring glucose, medications, food choices, and appointments can feel overwhelming. People living with type 1 diabetes have the even greater burden of carbohydrate counting, insulin calculations, a greater risk of high and low glucose levels, and frequent glucose monitoring
• Worry about complications: Concerns about future health (like vision or nerve problems) can cause stress and depression
• Feeling alone or judged: Some people say they can feel judged or left out in social situations
• Physical changes: Diabetes can change the balance of hormones in your body and brain, which can add to feelings of depression

Depression can affect diabetes

Depression can make diabetes harder to manage. For example, it may lead to:

• Less physical activity
• Unhealthy eating
• Smoking
• Missing medications or appointments

Depression also affects how your body handles stress, which can raise glucose levels. It can also cause inflammation in the body, which can make diabetes more difficult to manage.

The cycle between diabetes and depression

Diabetes and depression can make each other worse. If you are depressed, you might not take care of your diabetes. If your diabetes gets worse, you may feel more depressed. This can make both problems harder to manage. It can even lead to more hospital visits.

Shared risk factors

Some factors increase the risk of both type 2 diabetes and depression:

• Being above a healthy weight
• Low physical activity
• Poor diet
• Financial stress
• Family history (genes)

How health professionals assess this

Doctors use special to find depression/anxiety in people with diabetes, such as:

• PHQ-9 (depression)
• GAD-7 (anxiety)
• HFS-II W (fear of hypoglycaemia)

They help to identify when you need extra support.

Treatments

Talking therapies

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): This helps change negative thoughts and teaches new ways to cope
• Motivational interviewing: This supports healthy behaviour choices

Medicines

• Some people benefit from antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications
• Diabetes medications may also need adjusting

Your healthcare team will help balance both safely.

Healthy habits

• Exercise, eating healthy foods, and getting enough sleep can help both depression and diabetes
• Relaxation and joining support groups can also assist

Working together

The best outcomes happen when care is coordinated between doctors, nurses, mental health professionals, and diabetes educators.

Mental health medications and diabetes

Antipsychotic medications and diabetes

Some medicines used to treat mental health conditions can affect how your body handles glucose. They can increase the risk of weight gain and alter glucose levels. Because of these changes, people taking these medicines might have a higher chance of getting type 2 diabetes. Some antipsychotic medications are more likely to cause these changes than others. If you are taking the following medications it is essential to monitor your glucose levels regularly:

aripiprazole	clozapine	olanzapine
quetiapine	risperidone	asenapine
amisulpride	paliperidone	brexpiprazole

Antidepressant medications and diabetes

Some show a small increase in type 2 diabetes risk with antidepressants, but it is not clear why. This may relate to:

• The medication
• Underlying depression
• Lifestyle factors

However, treating your mental health is essential and should not be delayed.

How diabetes medicines affect mood

Recent shows that the type of diabetes medicine taken may be linked to mood changes.

Medicines with a lower risk of depression:

• Metformin
• DPP-4 inhibitors
• GLP-1 analogues
• SGLT2 inhibitors

Medicines with a possible higher risk:

• Higher doses of insulin
• Higher doses of sulfonylureas

Why?

Studies and real-life experience indicate that increases in body weight can reduce mood, while decreases in body weight can improve it. Both insulin and sulfonylureas may contribute to weight gain if a person consumes a high-carbohydrate diet. Metformin, DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 analogues, and SGLT2 inhibitors may all help reduce body weight.

Even so, starting insulin treatment shouldn’t be delayed because high glucose levels can cause problems over time. When you begin using insulin, it’s important to watch how much carbohydrate you eat. Talking to a dietitian can help you figure out the right amount.

Insulin is usually started if you find out you have type 1 diabetes or after having type 2 diabetes for a long time. Both situations can be stressful, which increases the risk of depression and anxiety.

Problems with getting help

Sometimes people don’t get the support they need for depression and anxiety because:

• They feel embarrassed or judged
• Mental health services are hard to access
• Care is not well coordinated
• People don’t always know the right questions to ask. şÚÁĎÍř can help with those questions

Since diabetes and depression are linked, they should be recognised and treated together early. Mental health is part of diabetes care and working as a team provides the best results. Medications for one condition can have both positive and negative effects on the other condition. Your health team will take this into consideration. Treating the whole person and offering support can prevent long-term effects and improve quality of life.

By Donna Itzstein, Credentialled Diabetes Educator and Pharmacist

New research supported by şÚÁĎÍř has confirmed that a person’s genes can influence how well widely used diabetes medicines such as Mounjaro and Ozempic work.

The discovery could pave the way for more personalised prescribing in the future, with treatments tailored to a person’s genetic profile to improve outcomes.

The findings come from an international team including researchers at Adelaide University and were published in the international journal .

The research was led by South Australian endocrinologist and clinician researcher Dr Mahesh Umapathysivam (Adelaide University), Dr Alraldi (ETH Zurich), Professor Gloyn (Stanford University) and Prof Stoffel (ETH Zurich), and was supported in Adelaide by funding from the şÚÁĎÍř Research Program in 2024.

Dr Umapathysivam said the team investigated how genetic differences affect responses to medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, a class of drugs that help lower blood glucose levels and can also assist with weight loss.

“Our studies suggest that a person’s genetic profile may influence how well these medicines slow the emptying of the stomach after eating,” Dr Umapathysivam said.

“This process is important because slower stomach emptying contributes to the medicines’ effect on blood glucose levels.”

The research studied the effect of genetic variants which alter the activity of a protein called PAM. Approximately 10% of the population carry a loss-of-function variant in the PAM gene and have lower PAM activity and higher levels of GLP-1 after meals, but without the expected improvement in the body’s ability to lower blood glucose after a meal, something known as the “incretin” response.

“As a result, these individuals showed a reduced response to GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines,” Dr Umapathysivam said.

“Our findings suggest that people who carry these variants may have a form of GLP-1 resistance, meaning the medicines may not work as effectively for them.”

The team also observed similar patterns in mouse studies, strengthening the evidence that genetic differences can influence how patients respond to this class of medicines.

The discovery could help guide future precision medicine approaches, allowing doctors to better predict who is likely to benefit from these treatments and who may need alternative therapies.

Adelaide’s Laverne Naicker, who was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes about 20 years ago, said she thought it was a shame when Ozempic didn’t work for her.

“I was pretty disappointed,” Laverne said. “It was a big deal. Ozempic seemed to work like a miracle for other people, so why not me?

“For every medication there are side effects. For me, I experienced burping, abdominal discomfort like pinching, and terrible headaches.

“There was no flip side. Ozempic didn’t help with my diabetes. This research is awesome because it has the potential for people like me not to waste time, hope, and feeling unwell if the medication isn’t going to work.”

Laverne has since started insulin to help manage her glucose levels.

şÚÁĎÍř’s Group CEO Justine Cain said the results highlighted the importance of sustained investment in diabetes research.

“şÚÁĎÍř is proud to have supported this groundbreaking project,” Ms Cain said.

“Research is the key to changing the future of diabetes.

“Innovative studies like this show how Australian researchers are helping lead the world in understanding diabetes, how to prevent it, and how to improve treatment for people living with the condition.”

şÚÁĎÍř Group Executive, Health, Economics & Research, Amber Willink, said Dr Umapathysivam’s team’s research supports treatments being used where they will have the greatest benefit.

“Personalised medicine is not a future concept. It’s emerging now. This research shows how genetic insights can help ensure the right treatment reaches the right person at the right time.”

Researchers from the University of Oxford, University of Dundee, University of Copenhagen, University of British Columbia, Newcastle University, University of Bath and University of Exeter also contributed to the work. 

Established almost 40 years ago, the şÚÁĎÍř Research Program supports outstanding research across prevention, treatment and the search for a cure for all types of diabetes.

The program also helps develop the next generation of diabetes researchers and relies on the generosity of donors to continue supporting world-class research in Australia.

More information about the şÚÁĎÍř Research Program and how to support its work is available at the şÚÁĎÍř website. Find out more about how to support us.

şÚÁĎÍř extends its thoughts to the individuals, families, and communities affected by Tropical Cyclone Narelle in Far North Queensland. 

We recognise that natural disasters like cyclones can make it harder for people living with diabetes to access essential supplies and manage their health. The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) is here to help ensure you can continue to access the support and products you need during this time. 

Accessing diabetes supplies 

If you need NDSS products, you can collect them from any NDSS Access Point, which is usually a local pharmacy. If you don’t have your NDSS card with you, you can still access your products using your Medicare card. 

We understand that your regular pharmacy may be closed or difficult to reach. You can search for an alternative pharmacy using the . If you’re unsure if a pharmacy is open, it’s a good idea to call ahead before visiting. 

Support is available 

If you need assistance accessing diabetes products, the NDSS Helpline is here to support you. 

• NDSS Helpline 1800 637 700 Operating Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (AEST) 
• Email: info@ndss.com.au 

In a life-threatening emergency, please call Triple Zero (000). 

şÚÁĎÍř will continue to work closely with emergency services and local support organisations to ensure people with diabetes have access to the care and supplies they need throughout the recovery. 

şÚÁĎÍř extends its thoughts to the individuals, families, and communities affected by the flooding across Queensland and the Northern Territory.

We recognise that natural disasters like floods can make it harder for people living with diabetes to access essential supplies and manage their health. The National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) is here to help ensure you can continue to access the support and products you need during this time.

Accessing diabetes supplies

If you need NDSS products, you can collect them from any NDSS Access Point, which is usually a local pharmacy. If you don’t have your NDSS card with you, you can still access your products using your Medicare card.

We understand that your regular pharmacy may be closed or difficult to reach. You can search for an alternative pharmacy using the . If you’re unsure if a pharmacy is open, it’s a good idea to call ahead before visiting.

Support is available

If you need assistance accessing diabetes products, the NDSS Helpline is here to support you.

NDSS Helpline: 1800 637 700
Operating Monday to Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (AEST)
Email: info@ndss.com.au

In a life-threatening emergency, please call Triple Zero (000).

şÚÁĎÍř will continue to work closely with emergency services and local support organisations to ensure people with diabetes have access to the care and supplies they need throughout the recovery.

The Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) has recommended Wegovy (semaglutide) be subsidised through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for adults with established cardiovascular disease and obesity.  

şÚÁĎÍř’s Group CEO Justine Cain has welcomed the recommendation and comments from Federal Health Minister Mark Butler indicating the government would work with manufacturer Novo Nordisk to list the medication, making it more affordable for Australians.  

“Supporting individuals who want to lose weight is an important part of type 2 diabetes prevention, and ensuring the affordability of medicines that help people achieve that goal is critical.  

“There are many factors that contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes including genetics or family history, but in 58% of cases it can be prevented or delayed. Supporting Australians with affordable access to weight loss medicines is one of the tools that can help with this,” Ms Cain said. 

The published recommendation states that the subsidy should be provided “for adults with established cardiovascular disease (eCVD) with obesity. Patients must have already experienced a cardiovascular event such as a heart attack, stroke, or have symptomatic peripheral arterial disease.” 

The Diabetes Alliance*, led by şÚÁĎÍř, made a joint submission to PBAC’s November 2025 meeting regarding the importance of access to GLP-1 RA medicines (such as semaglutide) for the treatment of obesity, due to the increased risk of chronic conditions including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.  

“It’s excellent to see the advice of the sector being positively received,” Ms Cain said. 

“This separate recommendation about Wegovy is a helpful step in the management of obesity and ongoing efforts to reduce the rates of chronic conditions in Australia.” 

Over 1.3 million Australians are living with type 2 diabetes and another 2 million are at risk of developing the chronic condition.  

* The Diabetes Alliance includes şÚÁĎÍř, the Australian Diabetes Educators Association, the Australian Diabetes Society, Breakthrough T1D, the Australasian Diabetes in Pregnancy Society, and the Australian and New Zealand Society for Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes. 

Faster access to more health data on My Health Record will benefit Australians living with diabetes.  

The Australian Digital Health Agency (ADHA) has announced that most pathology and diagnostic imaging reports will now be available for consumers to view as soon as they are uploaded on My Health Record.

The change is part of a series of measures by the Federal Government designed to speed up access to health records and create a more connected health system.

The Australian Digital Health Agency says the changes will enable consumers to take a more active role in their care. For those managing chronic conditions, having immediate access to test results provides reassurance, supports self-management, and reduces unnecessary follow-up appointments.

şÚÁĎÍř Group CEO Justine Cain said access to more information means better health outcomes for Australians living with diabetes.

“Providing individuals with faster access to their pathology reports is another important step towards a more integrated healthcare system,” Ms Cain said.

“People living with chronic conditions like diabetes are often supported by multiple health professionals. This change will support the timely sharing of information within those groups, improving communication and overall care.

“It’s so important for pathology reports to be discussed with a health professional so that an individual gets the whole picture of what the results are showing. We hope that this change will help to facilitate those discussions,” she said.

The seven day waiting period for anatomical pathology, cytopathology and genetic testing has also been reduced to just five days.

From February 2026 x-ray reports for limbs will be available for immediate download and CT scans, mammograms, ultrasounds, MRI and PET scans will be uploaded after five days instead of seven.

For more information about My Health Record changes visit:

What is My Health Record?

My Health Record is a safe and secure place to keep your key health information, available to you and your healthcare providers anytime, including in an emergency. You can manage important information, control who has access to it, and see what has been accessed. You can access your record through the or my health app.

About şÚÁĎÍř

şÚÁĎÍř is the national organisation supporting all people living with or at risk of diabetes. We put people first. We work in collaboration with member organisations, consumers, health professionals, state-based organisations, researchers and the community.

For more information visit: www.diabetesaustralia.com.au

Australians living with diabetes will save money from a further reduction in the cost of prescription medicines, with the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) maximum co-payment for general patients set to fall to $25 from January 1 next year.

This reduction will apply to a wide range of PBS-listed medicines, including empagliflozin (Jardiance, Glyxambi and Jardiamet) and dapagliflozin (Forxiga, Qtern and Xigduo XR), which are among the most prescribed treatments for people living with type 2 diabetes. The lower co-payment will deliver significant financial relief for people managing diabetes, especially those who need multiple medicines on a regular basis.

According to the Federal Government, the last time Australians paid no more than $25 for a PBS prescription was in 2004. This change marks a return to that price point and follows a series of major reforms designed to reduce out-of-pocket healthcare costs.

The reduction represents a more than 20 percent cut from the current general patient co-payment of $30. The government says it is expected to save Australians more than $200 million each year.

Pensioners and concession card holders will continue to benefit from the current co-payment freeze, with the maximum charge for PBS medicines held at $7.70 until 2030.

şÚÁĎÍř has welcomed confirmation that the supply of Ozempic (semaglutide) in Australia has stabilised, with prescribing and supply restrictions now lifted. 

Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has advised the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) that national stocks have improved to the point where doctors can now prescribe Ozempic for new patients, and treatment can continue as normal for existing patients. This follows a prolonged global shortage that began in 2022 due to an unexpected increase in demand. 

Ozempic is subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of type 2 diabetes when specific clinical criteria are met. It is not subsidised for weight loss or other off-label uses. A separate brand, Wegovy, also contains semaglutide but is approved only for chronic weight management and cardiovascular risk reduction in people without diabetes. 

The TGA has also advised that a new 3 mL pen is replacing the previous 1.5 mL version of the Ozempic 0.25 mg/0.5 mg pre-filled pen. Further information is available through the TGA and Novo Nordisk. 

While supply is improving, it may take time for some local pharmacies to restock. If Ozempic is unavailable, pharmacists are encouraged to contact their wholesalers or Novo Nordisk for delivery updates. Patients can also speak with their pharmacist about when stock will arrive. 

şÚÁĎÍř will continue to monitor the supply of semaglutide medicines and support Australians living with type 2 diabetes to access their treatment. Patients are encouraged to speak with their doctor or pharmacist if they have questions about their medication. 

People living with diabetes who are taking some diabetes and weight management medicines are being advised to take extra care when preparing for surgery or procedures requiring anaesthesia or deep sedation. 

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued an alert today regarding potential risks associated with a group of medicines known as GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GIP/GLP-1 receptor agonists.  

These medicines, which include commonly used treatments such as Ozempic, Trulicity, Victoza, Saxenda, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, are used to help manage type 2 diabetes and chronic weight issues. 

The medicines work in part by slowing down how quickly food leaves the stomach. While this effect can help regulate blood glucose and support weight loss, it may also mean that food remains in the stomach for longer.  

During surgery or other procedures that involve general anaesthesia or deep sedation, this slower digestion can increase the risk of regurgitation and inhalation of stomach contents.  

To address this, the TGA has required updated safety information in official documentation for all affected medicines. The new warnings advise patients to inform all their health professionals, especially surgeons and anaesthetists, if they are taking these medications. This allows medical teams to adjust fasting times or consider other precautions to reduce potential risks. 

şÚÁĎÍř encourages people using these medicines to discuss any upcoming procedures with their healthcare team. This ensures safe and effective planning. 

The update applies to the following medicines currently approved in Australia: 

• For diabetes management: Ozempic (semaglutide), Trulicity (dulaglutide), and Victoza (liraglutide) 

• For weight management: Saxenda (liraglutide), Wegovy (semaglutide) 

• For weight management and diabetes: Mounjaro 

For more detailed information, including updates intended for healthcare professionals, please visit the .