MEDIA RELEASE
EMBARGOED UNTIL 14 November 2009
New type 2 educational resources launched on World Diabetes Day
To coincide with World Diabetes Day, the National Prescribing Service (NPS) and Diabetes
TASMANIA have launched a series of short online videos that address medicines use issues for
people with type 2 diabetes.
“The theme of World Diabetes Day is education and prevention, which are at the heart of diabetes
management,” NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes said.
“Education relates not only to understanding diabetes and how to prevent it, but also how to manage
the condition. Medicines often play a huge role in the management of type 2 diabetes and related
conditions, so it is important people understand potential medicines use issues.”
“These 11 short videos address issues including the types of medicines used to manage type 2
diabetes and what you should discuss with your healthcare team,” Dr Weekes said.
Diabetes TASMANIA’s CEO, Caroline Wells, said there is a need for high quality information that is
easy to understand and available to people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
“Type 2 diabetes is one of the fast-growing chronic illnesses in Australia – its prevalence is expected
to nearly double over the next 40 years,” Ms Wells said.
“Some of the key concepts of managing type 2 diabetes are not easy to understand. Until now there
has been a lack of educational resources that focus on medicines use in relation to type 2 diabetes.”
“While these online videos are not a substitute for talking to your doctor or pharmacist, they do identify
the main issues people with type 2 diabetes face. A DVD for health professionals combining all the
segments will also be made available in other languages including Cantonese, Mandarin and German
to ensure everyone has access to the same information,” Ms Wells said.
while the DVD has been produced for health professional and community organisations’ educational
purposes. To order the DVD phone Diabetes TASMANIA on 03 6215 9000.
ENDS
Media enquiries to:
Katie Butt, NPS Corporate Communications and Media Adviser, 0419 618 365 or email
kbutt@nps.org.au
Jonathan Jones, Diabetes TASMANIA Communications and Development Manager, 03 6215 9010 or
0418 125 966 or email jjones@diabetestas.com.au
NEWS 
