The World Diabetes Day was on November 14.Diabetes affects millions of people worldwide. According to The International Diabetes Association, total population affected by diabetes is high enough to make it the third most populous country behind China and India. This shocking statistic shows the scale of this disease. Diabetes is becoming a growing epidemic in many emerging countries as the food habits and lifestyle of the population change due to rising income levels and standard of living.
The infographic below shows some interesting facts about this disease:
Click to enlarge
Global health spending to treat diabetes and manage its complications was estimated at 612 billion dollars in 2014. That figure is set to explode if diabetes continues its epidemic growth. There may not be a cure for diabetes right now, but it can be dramatically reduced and even prevented by adopting a healthier lifestyle. However, a nutritional diet filled with fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meat is not always financially possible; particularly for people living in middle- and low-income countries.
Source: A sustainable diet, Allianz
It is not surprising that Diabetes is a huge market opportunity for pharmaceutical companies. The top company in terms of 2014 sales for curing diabetes is Denmark-based Novo Nordisk(NVO). The other major players in the global top five companies are: Sanofi(SNY), Merck(MRK), Eli Lilly(LLY) and Astrazeneca(AZN)
Related:
- 7 facts on Diabetes that might surprise you, Allianz
- Medicines in Development – Diabetes, Phrma
- China’s diabetes boom promises $23 billion pot for drug makers, MarketWatch, Jan 15, 2016
Disclosure: No Positions
