For Peter Brown, his chronic kidney disease (CKD) diagnosis came as a shock two years ago.
This disease had been silently damaging his organs, and doctors warned him that dialysis might be in his future.
Like many Australians with this condition, Peter felt overwhelmed by the prospect of managing a progressive disease that could alter his quality of life... until he saw a new change on the horizon.
From 1 November 2024, Jardiance (empagliflozin 10mg) has been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of chronic kidney disease in adults at moderate to severe risk of their condition worsening.
For concession card holders like Peter, this means access to a life-changing medication for just $7.70 per prescription.
Peter's relief at the reduced cost is understandable, especially when you consider what Jardiance can actually achieve.
Research shows that compared to a placebo, empagliflozin reduced the risk of cardiovascular death and kidney disease progression in patients with CKD, potentially delaying kidney replacement therapy by 2-27 years, depending on baseline kidney function.
'A very debilitating, very overwhelming feeling of being sick and not being able to do anything,' Peter shared his experience with kidney disease.
The prospect of dialysis was particularly daunting. Now, with affordable access to Jardiance, he has renewed hope for maintaining his independence and quality of life.
Did you know?
Jardiance belongs to a class of medications called SGLT2 inhibitors. Initially developed for diabetes, these drugs work by helping your kidneys remove excess glucose through urine. For patients with kidney disease, this process also helps preserve kidney function over time and reduces the workload on these vital organs.
Who can access this treatment?
The PBS listing has been significantly expanded to include a broader group of patients with chronic kidney disease, both with and without albuminuria
.This is a significant change from earlier in 2024, when the SGLT-2 inhibitor was listed on the PBS for only a smaller group of Australians with proteinuric CKD.
However, there are specific eligibility criteria you need to meet. Patients must be stabilised for at least four weeks on either an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor blocker, unless medically contraindicated, prior to starting therapy with empagliflozin
.
For those without a concession card, the cost is $31.60 per prescription, and will drop to $25 starting 1 January 2026.
Australia's silent epidemic
Health Minister Mark Butler described chronic kidney disease as a 'silent epidemic'.
According to the original reporting, more than 2.5 million Australians have kidney disease, but fewer than 10 per cent know about it. The symptoms typically only become apparent when 90 per cent of kidney function has already been lost.
For Australians over 75, one in twenty people in this age group is diagnosed with the disease. This makes early detection and prevention strategies crucial for our senior population.
Three simple tests that could save your kidneys
- Blood test (to check kidney function)
- Blood pressure check
- Urine test (to detect protein)
Professor Carol Pollock from Kidney Health Australia emphasises that these three tests should be done together for effective kidney disease screening.
Source: 7News Australia/YouTube
Beyond Jardiance—your complete kidney protection toolkit
GPs can now prescribe two sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors for CKD management- Jardiance and Forxiga.
Research indicates these medications can lead to significant improvements in a range of outcomes and could delay disease progression by 15 years or more.
This represents a significant shift in how kidney disease is managed in Australia, giving patients and doctors more options to slow disease progression before dialysis becomes necessary.
Taking action for your kidney health
For senior Aussies, now is an excellent time to have your kidneys screened.
The three-test combination Professor Pollock recommended provides a comprehensive picture of your kidney function.
For Peter Brown, the journey with kidney disease continues, but with significantly more hope than two years ago.
'It's gonna make a big difference, and the fact that $7.70 is a big difference when you work it out over 12 months,' he reflected.
His experience highlights how accessible medication can transform not only health outcomes but also peace of mind for thousands of Australian seniors facing similar challenges.
The expansion of Jardiance on the PBS represents more than just a policy change—it's a lifeline for families across Australia who face expensive private prescriptions or those going without essential treatment.
What's your experience with kidney health screening? Have you had the three essential tests—blood, blood pressure, and urine—done together recently? We'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Primary source
Kidney disease drug added to PBS, helping 65,000 Australians
The federal government will add a medicine for chronic kidney disease into the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. More than 65.000 Australians are expected to benefit from the cheaper access to Jardiance , also known as Empagliflozin.
www.sbs.com.au
CKD PBS expansion for Jardiance | Pharmacy Daily
Cited text: 'FROM 01 Nov, Jardiance (empagliflozin 10mg) will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CK...'
Excerpt: From 1 November 2024, Jardiance (empagliflozin 10mg) has been listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of chronic kidney disease in adults at moderate to severe risk of their condition worsening.
CKD PBS expansion for Jardiance | Pharmacy Daily
FROM 01 Nov, Jardiance (empagliflozin 10mg) will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults at moderate-to-severe risk of their condition worsening.pharmacydaily.com.au
CKD medical management—key updates—Healthed
Cited text: 'A trial of empagliflozin found that compared to placebo, it reduced the risk of cardiovascular death and kidney disease progression in a range of patients...'
Excerpt: Research shows that compared to a placebo, empagliflozin reduced the risk of cardiovascular death and kidney disease progression in patients with CKD, potentially delaying kidney replacement therapy by 2-27 years, depending on baseline kidney function.
Empagliflozin PBS population expanded | AJP
Cited text: 'Eligible patients more than doubled in line with largest trial on SGLT-2 inhibitors in CKD The PBS listing of Jardiance (empagliflozin 10mg) will be s...'
Excerpt: The PBS listing has been significantly expanded to include a broader group of patients with chronic kidney disease, both with and without albuminuria
Empagliflozin PBS population expanded | AJP
Eligible patients more than doubled in line with largest trial on SGLT-2 inhibitors in CKD The PBS listing of Jardiance (empagliflozin 10mg) will be significantly expanded to include a broader ...
ajp.com.au
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