The Australian Department of Health states: “From 1 July 2016 blood glucose test strips will no longer be available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.

“They can still be accessed through the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS).

“People registered with the NDSS may continue purchasing blood glucose test strips as a subsidised product through the scheme.” 

“It is vital that everyone joins the National Diabetics Subsidy Scheme,” Mrs Norman said.

“It can be the difference between paying $16.50 or $50.56,” she said.

She fears that due to a lack of publicity about the change, many diabetics will get a script from their doctor, take it to the pharmacy and be stunned with the price they have to pay.

“Your GP needs to sign you up for their scheme, and the NDSS sends you an information package with a card that you show to get the subsidy. 

“There are 100 strips in each pack and diabetics usually go through this every six weeks.

“I would have the means to pay the unsubsidised price, but many diabetics wouldn’t,” she said.

“Many diabetics are pensioners and this would hit them hard.

“There is a chance that people would not do their testing, and the repercussions of this could be dangerous.”

Each strip takes a sample of blood and is plugged into the electronic counter, which gives the glucose reading.

Mrs Norman has worked as a nurse in aged care, and knows what can happen.

“I have nursed people going through these complications,” she said.

Mrs Norman has lived in Moruya for 27 years and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes eight months ago.

“A cyst appeared under my left arm,” she said.

“It was only after my sixth surgery that the doctor pinpointed high glucose.

“It is only in the last month that I have been able to get it under control.

“It is such a silent, deadly disease and people can’t take the risk of not testing for it.”