“Last year, we made Jardiance available to a select group of Australians suffering from a specific type of kidney disease. Starting this Saturday, we anticipate that an additional 70,000 Australians battling kidney disease will gain access to this transformative medication,” announced Health Minister Mark Butler on Tuesday.

The 2021 Census reveals that approximately 1% of Australia’s population is affected by kidney disease. Notably, one in twenty Australians aged 75 and older has received a diagnosis.

For eligible patients who do not hold a concession card, the cost of a prescription is currently set at $31.60. This price is expected to decrease further to $25 next year.

Minister Butler highlighted Jardiance, also known by its generic name Empagliflozin, as a groundbreaking treatment for many Australians. Source: AAP / Mick Tsikas

Butler described kidney disease as a silent epidemic impacting the country.

Butler said kidney disease was a silent epidemic in Australia.