E-DRUG: World Diabetes Day: Inequities and Inefficiencies in the Global Insulin Market
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Dear E-druggers
Saturday 14 November is World Diabetes Day. It is timely to reflect on the situation for the 100 million or so people across the globe who need insulin. One in two of them cannot reliably access this life-saving medicine because it is unavailable, unaffordable or both. Without insulin, those living with type 1 diabetes will die.
The ACCISS (Addressing the Challenges and Constraints of Insulin Sources and Supply) Study has released a fact sheet to draw attention to current problems of accessing insulin, at both the global and national levels. You can access the fact sheet 'Inequities and Inefficiencies in the Global Insulin Market' on HAI's website http://haiweb.org/what-we-do/acciss/
The purpose of our three year study, which was launched in early 2015, is to identify the causes of poor insulin availability and unaffordable prices, then develop policies and interventions to improve access, particularly in the world's most under-served regions.
In the coming months we will be publishing a number of reports on our findings so far (on insulin patent issues, prices, market issues, trade issues etc.). If you want to receive notifications about the release of these reports and be part of our network, then please join by going to http://haiweb.org/what-we-do/acciss/acciss-network/
On World Diabetes Day in 2013, Ban Ki-moon (UN Secretary-General) said "Nearly 100 years after insulin was first used to save the life of a diabetic patient, people around the world still die because they cannot access this hormone." Two years on, the situation hasn't changed. It's time to unite, spread the messages widely to draw attention to the plight of those who cannot access insulin, and work to make a difference.
Regards,
Margaret Ewen, ACCISS Co-investigator
Health Action International (HAI)
Overtoom 60/II
1054 HK Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Marg Ewen <Marg@haiweb.org>