Cost of Diabetes Drugs Hits the Roof

Even though the number of diabetes cases is on the rise across the globe, a group of Cardiff University suggests that the NHS is spending more than it needs to with diabetes drugs accounting for more than 7 percent of the country’s prescribing budget. According to lead researcher Dr Chris Currie, more than £700 million was spent on diabetes drugs in 2008, a 50 percent rise from the start of the decade. The researchers also add that if inflation is taken into account, then the rise in price would have been more than 100 percent.

Rosiglitazone and insulin injections are the main reason for the rise in cost with Dr Currie claiming that the consistent rise shows that national guidelines are not being followed by the doctors.

“Somebody has got to take a lead in managing the way we treat people with diabetes and making sure doctors adhere to the recommendations. This is going to continue to rise and part of the issue is people don't realise how big the problem is”, he said.


Source-Medindia