17 October 2025
Diabetes is one of Australia’s most pressing and complex health challenges, affecting more than 1.5 million people and contributing to long-term complications, hospitalisations and premature deaths.
The National Medicines Symposium 2025, hosted by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, will explore this issue under the theme ‘Quality use of medicines in people with diabetes’.
This free virtual event, on Wednesday 22 October 2025, will bring together national and international experts, clinicians, researchers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practitioners, and people with lived experience, to explore how quality use of medicines, non-pharmacological care and emerging technologies can transform diabetes care.
More than 20 expert speakers will explore:
- medicines management in type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- person-centred prescribing and deprescribing
- the importance of care at different life stages, including pregnancy, adolescence and ageing
- equity and access to culturally safe care
- integrated care models, including pharmacists embedded in primary care and the Diabetes Alliance Program Plus (DAP+)
- the importance of self-management and non-pharmacological strategies such as nutrition, movement and mental health.
Chronic conditions, including diabetes, are an underlying or associated cause of 90% of all deaths in Australia. People with diabetes also face a higher risk of sepsis and complications, making safe and appropriate diabetes medicines use critical.
Associate Professor Liz Marles, Clinical Director for the Commission and a general practitioner, said medicines for diabetes must be tailored to the individual.
“Quality use of medicines in diabetes is not just about the correct prescription. It is about safe, effective, person-centred care that adapts to an individual’s life stage, cultural needs, and health priorities. This Symposium is an opportunity to drive national conversations and practical action to improve care for every person living with diabetes,” said Associate Professor Marles.
Professor Andrew McLachlan, Head of School and Dean of Pharmacy at the University of Sydney, and Symposium facilitator, highlighted the importance of collaboration and innovation.
"Emerging medicines, technology, and care models present new opportunities to improve outcomes for people with diabetes. The Symposium will showcase how clinicians, researchers and consumers can work together to advance safe and effective diabetes management."
Key speakers include:
- Distinguished Professor David Simmons, Chief Medical Officer for Diabetes Australia, Professor of Medicine at Western Sydney University and District Advisor on Diabetes for the South Western Sydney Local Health District
- Professor Jennifer Martin, Physician, Clinical Pharmacologist and President of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians
- Professor Jonathan Shaw, Deputy Director of Clinical and Population Health, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute
- Professor Stephen Twigg, Head of Endocrinology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Kellion Professor of Endocrinology, Stan Clark Chair in Diabetes and Head of Central Clinical School, The University of Sydney.
- Professor Shamasunder Acharya, Director of Diabetes and Endocrinology and Program Lead for Diabetes Alliance Plus, Hunter New England Health District
- Ms Sarah Lam, Senior Clinical Psychologist, Bankstown Hospital Diabetes Centre.
Register now
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from Australia’s leading experts in diabetes care and medicines safety. Register today for the National Medicines Symposium 2025 and join the national conversation on how to improve quality use of medicines in people with diabetes.
Date: 22 October 2025
Time: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm AEDT
Format: Free, virtual event
Register now: safetyandquality.tv/NMS25
About the Commission
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care leads and coordinates national improvements in the safety and quality of health care based on the best available evidence. By working in partnership with patients, carers, clinicians, the Australian, state and territory health systems, the private sector, managers and healthcare organisations, the Commission aims to ensure that the health system is better informed, supported and organised to deliver safe and high-quality care. safetyandquality.gov.au
Media enquiries
Michelle Boland, Senior Communications Officer