The criteria for government funding of SGLT2 inhibitors need to be updated to better reflect their potential to improve renal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes, leading Australian researchers say.

The Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute-led team has also called for a shift away from a ‘glucose-centric’ view of the drugs and for clinicians and regulators to broaden their focus to the potential for renal and cardiovascular benefits.

The call was prompted by new modelling that showed almost 7000 lives could be saved from diabetes-related end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) by 2040 with more widespread use of SGLT2 inhibitors.

“Right now, there are a large number of people with diabetes who could benefit from these medications but are missing out,” said study lead author PhD student Jedediah Morton.