Kidney Health Australia is calling for a screening and management program for Australians most at risk of kidney disease, as it welcomes the addition of a diabetic kidney disease drug to the PBS.
Kidney disease is one of Australia’s biggest killers. One in 10 adult Australians are at risk and the biggest risk factor is diabetes. In fact, one in three people living with diabetes will develop kidney disease in their lifetime.
Kidney Health Australia has welcomed the listing of Finerenone (Kerendia) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for people with diabetic kidney disease. It says the introduction of the drug will help to slow progression to kidney failure, extending quality of life for so many.
“Increased access to any new treatment for kidney disease is good news. This will help people avoid the enormous costs of living with diabetic kidney disease and the progression to expensive and burdensome dialysis treatments in the future,” Kidney Health Australia CEO, Chris Forbes, said.
Mr Forbes, who attended the official announcement by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler at St Vincent’s Hospital late last week, noted that new medications added to the PBS over the last two years are changing the way kidney disease is treated and managed.
“Now is the time to introduce thorough early screening and intervention programs for people at the greatest risk of kidney disease – those living with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure,” Mr Forbes said.
“Greater availability of treatments for slowing Chronic Kidney Disease means we have to do more to identify the 1.8 million Australians unaware they have signs of kidney disease and help them manage the condition from start to end.
“The nation must focus on a holistic approach that targets those at highest risk and goes beyond merely screening individuals, but must include ongoing management of the condition. It is the only way to get in front of this deadly disease.
“Early diagnosis, better treatment and support post-diagnosis work together to significantly improve outcomes”, Mr Forbes added.
Kidney Health Australia recently released the Deloitte Economics Access report, a comprehensive expose on how kidney disease is now a national emergency. The report shows kidney disease costs the Australian economy $9.9 billion each year, including $2.3million in direct costs to the health system.
Breonny Robson, GM of Clinical and Research at Kidney Health Australia, who led the research said: “Due to the silent nature of kidney disease, a proactive approach through early diagnosis and better management gives us the best chance to reduce the burden of the disease for individuals, and also proves cost-effective at systemic and governmental levels.”
Kidney Health Australia says early detection of the disease could also prevent 38,000 deaths and avoid 237,000 hospitalisations.
“With Australian hospitals currently overwhelmed with the number of people requiring dialysis treatment, not enough access to treatment in regional areas, and kidney disease disproportionately affecting our First Nations populations, now is the time to focus on early detection and intervention,” Ms Robson said.
Mr Forbes added, “The longer we can keep Aussies out of hospital, working and enjoying life by slowing down kidney disease, the better for everyone.”
