Geneva, Nov 13 : A century after it was discovered, insulin still remains out of reach for many people living with diabetes, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a report published on Saturday to commemorate the milestone anniversary, on the eve of World Diabetes Day on November 14.Geneva, Nov 13, : , A century after insulin was discovered, many diabetics still have difficulty accessing it, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), in a report released on Saturday to mark the landmark anniversary.It came on the eve World Diabetes Day (November 14).Insulin was discovered as a treatment for diabetes almost 100 years ago and has been on WHO’s list of essential medicines since it was published in 1977.Insulin was first discovered to treat diabetes nearly 100 years ago.It has been included on WHO’s essential medicines list since 1977.
It is the bedrock of diabetes treatment as it turns a deadly disease into a manageable one for nine million people with Type-1 diabetes.It is the foundation of diabetes treatment, as it transforms Type-1 diabetes into a manageable disease for nine million people.
For more than 60 million people living with Type-2 diabetes, insulin is essential in reducing the risk of kidney failure, blindness and limb amputation.Insulin is vital in the prevention of kidney disease, blindness, and limb loss for more than 60 million Type-2 diabetics.
However, one out of every two people needing insulin for Type-2 diabetes does not get it.One in two people with Type-2 diabetes who need insulin do not receive it.Data collected by WHO in 2016-2019 from 24 countries in four continents showed that human insulin was available only in 61 per cent of health facilities and analogue insulins in 13 per cent.WHO data from 2016-2019 showed that insulin for human use was only available in 61% of healthcare facilities, and in 13% in analogue insulins.
High prices, low availability of human insulin, a market dominated by just a few producers, and weak health systems have all created barriers to accessing the lifesaving medicine, the report said.The report stated that high prices and low availability of insulin for humans, as well as a market dominated only by a few manufacturers, and weak health systems, have all made it difficult to get lifesaving medicine.
“The scientists who discovered insulin 100 years ago refused to profit from their discovery and sold the patent for just one dollar,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the UN health agency.Tedros Adhanom Gaebreyesus, UN Health Agency Director-General, stated that the scientists who discovered insulin 100 year ago did not profit and sold the patent for one dollar.
“Unfortunately, that gesture of solidarity has been overtaken by a multi-billion-dollar business that has created vast access gaps,” he added.He said, “Unfortunately that gesture of solidarity was overtaken by multi-billion dollar business that has created huge access gaps.”
Diabetes is on the rise in low and middle-income countries, and yet their consumption of insulin has not kept up with the growing disease burden.Low- and middle-income countries are experiencing an increase in diabetes, but their insulin consumption has not kept pace with the rising disease burden.
The report highlights that while three in four people affected by Type-2 diabetes live in countries outside of North America and Europe, they account for less than 40 per cent of the revenue from insulin sales.This report shows that although Type-2 diabetes affects three quarters of people in North America and Europe, it accounts for less than 40% of insulin sales revenue.
The report also outlined measures to improve access to insulin and related products.The report also provided recommendations for improving access to insulin and other related products.
The actions include boosting human insulin production and supply, and diversifying manufacturing of biosimilar products to create competition and reduce prices.These actions include increasing insulin production and supply and diversifying the manufacturing of biosimilar products in order to increase competition and lower prices.
The WHO explained that global markets have shifted from human insulin, which can be produced at relatively low cost, to pricier synthetic insulins, which can be up to three times more expensive.According to the WHO, global markets have changed from human insulin which can be made at a relatively low price to synthetic insulins which can be as much as three times more costly.
The UN agency also called for improved affordability by regulating prices and mark-ups through pooled procurement and greater price transparency, and promoting local manufacturing capacity in under-served regions.The UN agency called for increased affordability through price regulation and mark-ups through pooled procuration and greater transparency.
It also recommended promoting local manufacturing in under-served areas.
At the same time, research and development (R&D) should be centred on the needs of low and middle-income countries, while increased access to insulin should be accompanied by prompt diagnosis along with access to affordable devices for injecting the medicine and monitoring blood sugar.
Research and development (R&D), should also be focused on low- and middle-income countries.Increased access to insulin should be accompanied with prompt diagnosis and access to affordable devices to inject the medicine and monitor blood sugar.
The WHO said it is working with countries and manufacturers to expand access to everyone who needs it.According to the WHO, it works with manufacturers and countries to increase access for all who need it.
As part of this the global health body has launched the first-ever insulin prequalification programme to expand access to life-saving treatment for diabetes in low- and middle-income countries.The first ever insulin prequalification program has been launched by the global health organization to increase access to life-saving diabetes treatment in low- and medium-income countries.
WHO prequalification of insulin is expected to boost access by increasing the flow of quality-assured products on the international market, providing countries with greater choice and patients with lower prices.The WHO prequalification for insulin will increase access by increasing the availability of quality-assured products in the international market.
This will allow countries to have more choice and lower prices for patients.
“Diabetes is on the rise globally, and rising faster in low-income countries,” Ghebreyesus said.
Ghebreyesus stated that diabetes is on the rise worldwide and is rising faster in low income countries.
“Too many people who need insulin encounter financial hardship in accessing it, or go without it and risk their lives.”Too many people who require insulin face financial hardships in accessing it or choose to go without it and risk losing their lives,” Ghebreyesus said.WHO’s prequalification initiative for insulin is a vital step towards ensuring everyone who needs this life-saving product can access it,” Ghebreyesus added.Ghebreyesus said that WHO’s prequalification initiative to insulin is an important step in ensuring everyone who requires this life-saving drug can access it #Insulin #accessible
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