$3 million government commitment to macular disease as action plan unveiled

Federal Health Minister Mr Greg Hunt unveiled the new funding package, which will see $1.5 million invested over four years in order to increase awareness of macular disease’ risk factors. From that funding, $1 million will be provided directly to Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA).The raining $1.5 million will go to “appropriate organisations” in order to provide health professionals with information and education regarding the managent of macular degeneration.The government’s announcent has also been timed to coincide with the release of a “National Strategic Action Plan for Macular Disease”, a project led by MDFA and commissioned by the Federal Government last year.Published today, the 44-point action plan is the first such plan created to specifically address macular disease in Australia. It aims to reduce the impact of the disease as well as identify effective, evidence-based priority areas of action. It is also designed to improve the coordination of resources across all levels of government.MDFA’s plan identifies areas of improvent across four categories; prevention and early detection; treatment; support for people with macular disease; and data and research.{{quote-A:R-W:400-I:2-Q:“Australia is a world leader in fighting macular disease. Over the past decade, we’ve seen key stakeholders from across the health sector and industry unite to prevent, detect and manage macular disease. The ‘roadmap’ outlined in this 44-point action plan will allow this partnership to continue in a coordinated, strategic way.” -who:MDFA CEO, Dee Hopkins}}Examples include the development of nationally endorsed evidence-based clinical guidelines for the managent of age-related macular degeneration, and efforts to pursue Pharmaceutical Benefits Sche and Medicare Benefits Schedule funding for newer macular disease treatments.MDFA CEO Ms Dee Hopkins said she welcomed Minister Hunt’s endorsent of the plan: “Australia is a world leader in fighting macular disease. Over the past decade, we’ve seen key stakeholders from across the health sector and industry unite to prevent, detect and manage macular disease.“The ‘roadmap’ outlined in this 44-point action plan will allow this partnership to continue in a coordinated, strategic way. These action points will help reduce – and ideally prevent – the economic, social and otional costs of vision loss and blindness as a result of macular disease, greatly assisting the mbers of our community living with macular disease, their families and carers.”In addition to the plan, Minister Hunt said the government was committed to promoting awareness, early detection and managent of macular disease.“Several medications used in the treatment of age-related macular disease are subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Sche. They include ranibizumab, aflibercept and verteporfin,” he said.MDFA national research advisor and ophthalmologist Professor Paul Mitchell said the plan articulates a framework and agenda to enable sight-saving work to continue in coordination with all stakeholders.“As our population ages and becomes more at risk of age-related macular degeneration, and with a rising prevalence of diabetic eye disease in working aged Australians, the incidence and impact of macular disease will only increase and put additional strain on our healthcare syst, which is why this Action Plan is so important,” he said.The MDFA action plan will be available on the organisation’s website. More reading:MDFA to distribute toolkits ahead of Macula MonthMDFA invites applications for macular disease research grants IMAGE CAPTION: MDFA CEO Ms Dee Hopkins speaking at the launch of the national action plan