McGuinty Government Strengthening Diabetes Care

    New Drugs and Supplies to Improve Quality of Life for Ontarians with
    Diabetes

    TORONTO, Oct. 20 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is improving the health
and quality of life for people living with diabetes by increasing access to
drugs and insulin pumps, and funding more diabetes support programs, Minister
of Health and Long-Term Care George Smitherman announced today.
    "The McGuinty government is expanding its program to help more people
with diabetes improve their quality of life," said Smitherman, who was
attending the 10th annual conference of the Canadian Diabetes Association and
the Canadian Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism. "We're strengthening a
disease management and prevention system that responds to patient and
community needs."
    The government is adding a new drug, Actos, to the province's list of
medicines that will be covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit Program under Bill
102's new conditional listing mechanism.
    The government is also providing $18.1 million to create 25 new community
diabetes education programs, and to create new diabetes clinics as part of the
government's chronic disease management strategy. This new funding represents
an increase of more than 51 per cent over last year.
    As well, Smitherman reaffirmed that the government would cover the costs
for insulin pumps and supplies for children who have Type 1 diabetes,
benefiting some 1,000 youth in Ontario. Program details will be forthcoming
shortly.
    "Diabetes is a serious chronic disease that demands disciplined daily
self-management," said Smitherman. "We have an opportunity to help Ontario's
children who live with this disease, and we will fulfill that opportunity very
soon."
    Diabetes is a chronic condition resulting from the body's inability to
sufficiently produce and/or properly use insulin, which assists with the
conversion of glucose into energy. Without insulin, glucose cannot be
sufficiently absorbed from the bloodstream into the cells of the body. Chronic
high levels of blood glucose due to diabetes can lead to long-term damage,
dysfunction and failure of the kidneys, eyes, nerves, heart and blood vessels.
    Today's initiatives are part of the McGuinty government's plan to build a
health care system that delivers on three priorities - keeping Ontarians
healthy, reducing wait times and improving access to doctors and nurses.

    This news release, along with other media materials, such as matte
stories and audio clips, on other subjects, are available on our website at:
http://www.health.gov.on.ca under the News Media section.
    For more information on achievements in health care, visit:
www.resultsontario.gov.on.ca.