Diabetes treatment > Access and supply

Insulin is a life-sustaining medication, designated an essential drug by the World Health Organization. Although it should be universally available to everyone who requires it for survival, in many countries access to insulin is not secure – resulting in life-threatening complications for large numbers of children and adults with diabetes worldwide. Indeed, most people in most countries of the world who need life-saving insulin cannot obtain it.

The discovery of insulin in 1921 is undoubtedly one of the most significant medical discoveries of the 20th century. Frederick Banting is considered as the main discoverer since he was the one who had the idea of tying a ligature round the pancreatic canals in order to provoke diabetes. when he was still a young surgeon in London, ontario (Canada), he met JJR Macleod of the University of Toronto and suggested experimenting with this procedure in dogs.

The use of HbA1c is becoming mandatory for good-standard diabetes care thanks to scientific evidence generated over the past two decades worldwide. HbA1c as a reflection of chronic hyperglycaemia is also becoming a key indicator increasingly used for the diagnosis of diabetes. however, underserved populations in poor countries have little awareness of or access to this important diagnostic and monitoring tool.

There are 285 million people living with diabetes worldwide, the number of affected people is predicted to reach 438 million by 2030. Because of the rapid increase in diabetes prevalence, the number of diabetes complications is rising equally quickly. Amputation is one of the most feared of these complications. People with diabetes are at risk for nerve damage and problems with the supply of blood to their feet. Nerve damage results in a reduced ability to feel pain and, as a consequence, injuries often go unnoticed. Moreover, poor blood supply can slow down the process of wound healing.