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Access to cheaper version of insulin an issue

DUBAI - The cheaper version of life-saving drug insulin produced by some manufacturers is largely unavailable in the region as compared to known expensive brands, according to a recent survey done in 60 countries, including the UAE.

The one-day snapshot comparison of the prices of insulin was done across 60 countries by the Health Action International, an independent global network working to increase access to essential medicines.

Prices were collected for insulin manufactured by three multinational companies — Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly and Sanofi Aventis — plus the lowest priced insulin in the nearest pharmacy produced by other manufactures.

The survey done on May 11 in Abu Dhabi showed that soluble human insulin 100 IU/ml injection, produced by local manufacturer Julphar was cheaper by $4.63 (Dh17) than the most expensive brand available in the market.

Brands and the prices in the UAE market for that day were: $14.84 (Dh55) for Humulin R of Eli Lilly, $17.02 (Dh63) for Actrapid HM of Novo Nordisk and $12.39 (Dh46) for Jusline R of Julphar.

The price variation across regions for Novo Nordisk insulin was slightly less — from an average of $15 in the Eastern Mediterranean region to $25 in the Americas.

Diabetes Mellitus (type 2) is one of the most prevalent diseases in the UAE, placing it second in the world after the island nation of Nauru with the highest prevalence of the disease. Current figures that claim that 19-25 per cent of the UAE nationals or one in four people are diabetic, according to statistics presented by the Ministry of Health.

The price snapshot is the second in series. On November 30 last year, a snapshot was taken on the prices of a course of ciprofloxacin 500mg tablets that showed that patients in the UAE pay at least four-fold for branded drugs as compared to the generic versions.

“We know that medicines manufactured locally are cheaper,” said Dr Abdul Razzaq Ali Al Madani, consultant physician, endocrinologist and head of the Emirates Diabetes Society.

“In my opinion, this is not much of a price difference since we have different segments of people. Some prefer higher quality drugs while others consider quality and price as well,” he added.

According to HAI, nearly 90 years after its discovery, access to insulin is beyond the reach of millions of people with diabetes around the world. People with diabetes are either forced to purchase insulin in the private sector at its full price, use less than the prescribed amount so that their supply lasts longer, or go without. Serious complications result from suboptimal treatment, such as blindness and amputations, and premature death.

Individuals from 60 countries collected the price which a patient would have to pay, if they paid the retail price (as opposed to a co-payment amount where reimbursement systems exist), for a 10ml traditional vial of 100 IU/ml soluble human insulin injection (regular, neutral) in their closest private retail pharmacy.

Worldwide, the price a patient would pay for a 10ml vial of soluble human insulin in the private sector ranged from $1.55 in Iran to $76.69 in Austria — a difference of almost 5000 per cent!

HAI concluded in its report that though there are a very limited number of manufacturers of insulin worldwide — the insulin market being dominated by Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. The price could be much lower (and hence more affordable). The network recommends that governments prioritise the health budget and provide financing to ensure that insulin is available free of charge to the patient in the public sector.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com