Diabetes Patients Face Steep Price Hike: Drugs Now Cost N100,000

The cost of diabetes medication has skyrocketed to N100,000, leaving patients struggling to afford treatment. This drastic price increase adds to the burden of managing a chronic condition.

Diabetes patients in Nigeria are facing a tough time with the steep price hike of life-saving drugs, now costing around N100,000. This is a significant increase from previous prices, making it challenging for patients to afford their treatment. For instance, a vial of insulin used to cost around N3,500 but now costs between N18,000 to N21,000. Other essential medications like Novorapid, Lantus insulin, Diamicron MR, Galvus, and Glucophage have also seen substantial price hikes.

Common Diabetes Medications and Their Effects

Several classes of type 2 diabetes medicines exist, each working differently to lower blood sugar. These include:

Meglitinides, which trigger insulin release from the pancreas 

Sulfonylureas, which also stimulate insulin production 

Biguanides, such as metformin, which limit liver sugar release and improve insulin sensitivity 

Thiazolidinediones, which enhance insulin sensitivity 

Managing Diabetes Beyond Medication

While medication is essential, lifestyle changes also play a crucial role in managing diabetes. Patients can benefit from:

° A healthy diet

° Regular exercise

° Maintaining a healthy weight

Consult a healthcare professional for personalized guidance on managing diabetes.

Today, November 14, marks World Diabetes Day, and the alarming prevalence of diabetes in Nigeria has taken center stage. The disease has reached epidemic proportions, with the South-West region exceeding the national average of 5.7% to 10.7%, and a staggering 43% of communities now at risk. This is particularly concerning, as diabetes can lead to severe complications, including heart disease, stroke, blindness, and kidney failure, if left unmanaged.

The financial burden of diabetes care in Nigeria is daunting, with costs ranging from N500,000 to N800,000 per patient, and monthly medication expenses exceeding N100,000. This has been exacerbated by a recent 300-400% spike in drug and consumable prices, making care unaffordable for many diabetics. Experts warn that this price surge has pushed the option of care beyond most diabetics, threatening the growing community of sufferers.

Diabetes in Nigeria: Key Facts

Prevalence: 5.7% to 10.7% in the South-West region 

At-risk communities: 43% 

Cost of care: N500,000 to N800,000 per patient 

Monthly medication cost: Over N100,000 

Complications: Heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure 

Managing Diabetes in Nigeria

To combat this epidemic, it's essential to focus on prevention and management strategies, including:

Healthy lifestyle choices: Regular exercise, balanced diet 

Early detection: Regular check-ups, screenings

Access to affordable care: Government subsidies, health insurance.

By addressing the diabetes crisis in Nigeria, we can improve health outcomes and reduce the economic burden on individuals and communities.

The alarming rise of diabetes and obesity in Nigeria has brought to the forefront the need for urgent action. Stakeholders are emphasizing the importance of addressing the shortage of healthcare professionals at care facilities, but also advocating for stricter government control over processed foods and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), which are primary contributors to these health issues globally.

Nigeria, like many other low- and middle-income countries, is grappling with the devastating impact of SSBs on public health. The World Health Organization (WHO) has sounded the alarm, calling for countries to impose taxes on SSBs to reduce consumption and promote healthier choices. This measure has proven effective in countries like Mexico, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, where taxes on SSBs have led to increased prices and reduced demand.

Concerns Surrounding SSBs:

Increased Risk of Chronic Diseases: Regular consumption of SSBs is linked to a higher risk of dental cavities, type 2 diabetes, weight gain, and obesity in both children and adults.

Economic Burden: The financial strain of diabetes care in Nigeria is substantial, with costs ranging from N500,000 to N800,000 per patient, and monthly medication expenses exceeding N100,000.

Lack of Regulation: The absence of effective regulations has allowed SSBs to proliferate, exploiting the sweet tooth of many Nigerians.

Recommendations for Change:

Implement SSB Taxes: Introduce or increase existing taxes on SSBs to reduce consumption and generate revenue for health programs.

Promote Health Education: Launch public awareness campaigns to educate Nigerians about the risks associated with SSBs and the benefits of healthier alternatives.

Support Healthier Options: Encourage the development and marketing of low-sugar, nutritious food and beverage options.

Nigeria's inflation has led to a surge in prices of Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs), prompting consumers to opt for cheaper alternatives. Despite the health risks, Nigerians continue to consume SSBs due to a lack of affordable healthier options, increasing the likelihood of diabetes.

The regular consumption of SSBs, combined with a sedentary lifestyle, has been linked to various health issues, including:

• Obesity

•Type 2 diabetes

 • Cardiovascular diseases

Diabetes Prevalence in Nigeria:

° National prevalence: 5.7% (approximately 6-8 million Nigerians)

° Regional prevalence: Up to 10.7% in certain areas (local studies)

° Contributing factors: Changing dietary habits, physical inactivity

Expert Recommendations:

To combat the rising diabetes rate, experts suggest:

° Promoting healthier beverage options

° Encouraging physical activity

° Implementing policies to reduce SSB consumption

° Increasing awareness about diabetes prevention and management

By addressing these factors, Nigeria can mitigate the diabetes epidemic and improve overall public health.

A disturbing trend has emerged in Nigeria, where individuals struggling to afford diabetes medications are resorting to:

° Rationing drug dosages

° Seeking unregulated alternatives, 

such as:

   

 ° Herbal remedies

    ° Prayer houses

Consequently, this has led to an increase in diabetes-related complications, including:

° Blindness

° Kidney disease

° Premature deaths

This desperate search for affordable solutions underscores the urgent need for:

• Accessible and affordable diabetes medications

• Regulated healthcare options

• Public awareness campaigns on diabetes management and prevention

• Integrated healthcare systems addressing physical and spiritual well-being

By addressing these challenges, Nigeria can mitigate the devastating consequences of unmanaged diabetes and ensure quality care for its citizens.

Access to diabetes care in Nigeria has become increasingly challenging due to skyrocketing costs of essential medications and devices, such as insulin and glucose meters. A recent study revealed that the average monthly cost of diabetes drugs has surged to approximately N100,000.

The price hike is staggering:

° Insulin vial: N18,000 - N21,000 (400% increase from N3,500)

° Novorapid: N20,000 (from N6,500 two years ago)

° Lantus insulin (5-pack): N58,000 (from N22,000)

° Diamicron MR (30mg, 30-tablet pack): N6,500 (from N2,200)

° Galvus (50/1000mg): N5,200 (from N2,400)

° Glucophage: N5,700 (from N900)

° Alphabetic: N10,500 (from N4,500)

Experts warn that many patients require a combination of:

° Insulin

° Oral medication

° Additional drugs for related conditions (e.g., hypertension)

This multidrug regimen makes treatment unaffordable for many, exacerbating the diabetes crisis.

Call to Action:

To address this issue, stakeholders urge the government and healthcare providers to:

• Implement price controls on essential diabetes medications

• Increase access to affordable healthcare

• Promote awareness about diabetes management and prevention

• Support local production of affordable diabetes medications and devices

By taking action, Nigeria can improve diabetes care and reduce the financial burden on patients.

For instance, “a roadside roasted plantain seller, Kudirat Ojurongbe, consumed at least three bottles of fizzy drinks daily to cope with the pressure of working in the sun. The routine persisted until she was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and hypertension in March.

“Ojurongbe kept to the treatment programme until the first bill showed N70,000, in less than a month. But, I barely make as much as N20,000 profit in a month,” she said.

John Odey's story is a heartbreaking example of the struggles many Nigerians face in accessing affordable diabetes care. A resident of Awada, Onitsha, Anambra State, John was addicted to a supposedly healthy stout drink until his diabetes diagnosis. When he started treatment, a pack of 1000mg Glucophage cost N900, but now it's skyrocketed to N5,000 per sachet. This price hike has forced John to skip his medication, and he's recently developed blurry vision due to lack of proper care.

The rising cost of diabetes treatment in Nigeria is alarming. Minister of Health Ali Pate warns that treatment costs may exceed N1,000,000 by 2030, a drastic increase from N60,000 per person in 2011 and N800,000 in 2021. This surge poses a significant threat to the well-being of millions of Nigerians living with diabetes.

The Burden of Diabetes in Nigeria

Prevalence: 5.7% of the population, affecting over 4.7 million people.

Hospitalization: 222.6 per 100,000 population, with hyperglycemic emergencies and cardiovascular diseases being common complications 

Mortality: 30.2 per 100,000 population, with a case fatality rate of 22.0%.

To combat this growing health crisis, it's essential to address the affordability and accessibility of diabetes care. This includes increasing access to affordable medications, promoting healthy lifestyles, and supporting diabetes education and awareness initiatives. By working together, we can ensure that Nigerians like John Odey receive the care they need to manage their diabetes and live healthy, fulfilling lives.

The alarming prediction of Minister of Health Ali Pate is rapidly becoming a reality. According to Diabetes Association of Nigeria (DAN) National President, Ejiofor Ugwu, an associate professor of medicine and consultant endocrinologist, the cost of treating and managing diabetes in Nigeria has skyrocketed, making it unaffordable for the average Nigerian.

Ugwu warns that this affordability crisis has dire consequences:

• Development of chronic complications, including:

    ° Blindness

    ° Amputations

    ° Kidney diseases

    ° Premature deaths

He emphasizes that diabetes patients often have co-morbidities, such as:

• Hypertension

• High cholesterol

requiring comprehensive treatment beyond just diabetes medications.

The Devastating Consequences of Unaffordable Diabetes Care

• Patients forced to skip or ration medications

• Increased risk of complications and premature deaths

• Economic burden on families and the healthcare system

• Reduced quality of life for diabetes patients

To mitigate this crisis, Ugwu advocates for:

• Increased access to affordable diabetes medications

• Integrated healthcare services addressing co-morbidities

• Public awareness campaigns on diabetes management and prevention

• Government support for local production of affordable diabetes medications

Nigeria is facing a severe shortage of diabetes specialists, with only one endocrinologist available for every 600,000 people. This ratio is similarly low for other specialties, making multi-disciplinary care for diabetes management a significant challenge ¹. The situation is even more dire for podiatrists, with only two specialists serving over 200 million people. Podiatrists play a crucial role in managing foot problems that can arise from diabetes complications or other issues.

Diabetes is largely a lifestyle disease, and factors like weight gain, poor sleep patterns, and high-stress levels can increase its prevalence. This is according to Olufemi Fasanmade, a consultant endocrinologist and professor of medicine at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital. He notes that the cost of diabetes care has become prohibitively expensive, with many patients spending over N100,000 monthly on medication alone.

The financial burden of diabetes care is taking a devastating toll on patients. More than half of Fasanmade's patients can no longer afford healthcare, leading some to halve their dosages, skip treatment altogether, or seek alternative methods. This is alarming, as proper management is critical to preventing diabetes-related complications.

Challenges in Diabetes Care in Nigeria:

Specialist Shortage: One endocrinologist per 600,000 people

Podiatrist Shortage: Only two specialists for over 200 million people

Financial Burden: High cost of medication (over N100,000 monthly)

Lifestyle Factors: Weight gain, poor sleep patterns, and high-stress levels contributing to disease prevalence

To address these challenges, it's essential to increase access to affordable diabetes care, promote healthy lifestyle choices, and support diabetes education and awareness initiatives. By working together, we can improve diabetes management and reduce the disease's burden on individuals and communities.

Experts report more future cases as new estimates indicate that more than 1.31 billion people worldwide could be living with diabetes by 2050.

This increase in prevalence is predicted to be driven by increases in Type-2 diabetes, caused by a rise in the prevalence of obesity and demographic shifts.

The global diabetes epidemic is sounding alarm bells, with cases tripling over the past two decades to become one of the century's most pressing health crises. The World Diabetes Federation (IDF) warns that without immediate action, the number of diabetes cases will balloon to 700 million by 2045.

Diabetes-related complications, such as diabetic retinopathy, are also projected to rise sharply. This condition is one of the most common and feared complications of diabetes, leading to blindness and vision impairment.

Looking ahead, experts predict a staggering increase in diabetes prevalence:

° 1.31 billion people worldwide may be living with diabetes by 2050

° Type-2 diabetes cases will drive this surge, fueled by:

    ° Rising obesity rates

    ° Demographic shifts

The Alarming Rise of Diabetes: Key Statistics

° Tripled cases in the last two decades

° Projected 700 million cases by 2045 (IDF)

° 1.31 billion people affected by 2050 (estimated)

° Type-2 diabetes: primary driver of increase

° Obesity and demographic shifts: key contributing factors

The global community must take urgent action to address this growing health emergency through:

• Increased awareness and education

• Improved access to diabetes care and management

• Prevention strategies targeting obesity and lifestyle factors

• Research and innovation in diabetes treatment and management.

By working together, we can mitigate the impact of this epidemic and ensure a healthier future for all.