Diabetes has been a major epidemic, globally. The adult diabetic population was 463 million in 2019 with the prevalence rate reaching 8.5%, as per International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Over 4.2 million mortalities occurred due to diabetes, globally. India’s population is more than 1.3 billion that is estimated to be around 17.7% of the global population in 2019 which is increasing every year. India is a huge market for diabetes diagnosis and treatment. Most of the companies working in India are using distribution networks to establish their network in the country. India is the second most populated nation across the globe, both in terms of total and diabetic population, after China. It is expected that India may take over China by 2030 both in terms of population and diabetic population.
Indian Diabetes Statistics, As of March 2020
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Particular
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Facts
|
|
Prevalence
of diabetes in adults
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8.9%
|
|
Total
cases of diabetes in adults (1000s)
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77,005.6
|
|
Cost
per person with diabetes (USD)
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100.9
|
|
Number
of cases of diabetes in adults that are undiagnosed
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38,502.3
|
|
Total
Adult Population (20+) (1000s)
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859,956.1
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Drivers of Indian Diabetes Industry
The Indian diabetes industry is driven by the growing burden of diabetes along with high prevalence of diabetes that is either undiagnosed or lack basic treatment. Government support, innovation, and development of new products, along with research related to the development of artificial pancreas are the key factors driving the growth of the Indian diabetes industry.
The impending unmet needs of the growing diabetic population are encouraging the government of India to provide basic needs for diabetic population. National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) launched in 2010 is one such instance. The Government of India is implementing NPCDCS for interventions up to district level under the National Health Mission (NHM) to create awareness related to the life-style changes, screening and early diagnosis of persons with high level of risk factors and their treatment for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including Diabetes. Under NPCDCS, testing, diagnosis and treatment facilities for Diabetes are provided through different levels of healthcare by setting up NCD Clinics in District Hospitals and Community Health Centres (CHCs). At these clinics, the treatment is either free or highly subsidized for the poor and needy.
- Innovation and Development of New Products
The increasing prevalence, health burden as well as treatment cost of chronic diseases such as diabetes have accelerated the country’s interest within the innovative care models that deploy approaches such as community-based care coupled with IT to enhance the prevention of diseases, diagnosis, and treatment. With the increase in Indian diabetic population, government institutions and pharmaceutical companies are concentrating majorly on developing innovative products. Major market players such as Merck and Sanofi are at the forefront of innovations. Numerous research programs are being conducted across the globe with the aim to provide accurate as well as technologically advanced solution, for the monitoring & management of diabetes.
Diabetes Product Labeling
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Product
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Manufacturer
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Description
|
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MiniMed
670G hybrid closed looped system
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Medtronic
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It is an artificial pancreas, which automatically
administers as well as withholds insulin in response to the blood glucose
measurements which is taken after every 5 minutes.
|
|
Aplevant
(dulaglutide)
|
Eli Lilly and Company
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Once-weekly injectable solution for adults with
type 2 diabetes mellitus
|
|
GMate
Smart Blood Glucose Monitoring System
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Philosys, a South Korean company
|
This system allows diabetic patients to use their
smartphones to measure as well as analyze their blood glucose levels.
|
|
Afrezza
|
MannKind Corp’s
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Inhaled insulin does not require needles and
designed specifically for adults with type 2 or type 1 diabetes.
|
|
Smart
Lens
|
Google and Alcon
|
This product is the result of commemoration
between tech giant Google and Alcon (contact lens manufacturer). This lens
possesses the capability to measure glucose in tears.
|
|
FreeStyle
Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System
|
Abbott
|
This system uses the finger-stick tests, with the
aim to confirm the readings below 70 mg/dl when an individual’s glucose is
changing rapidly.
|
|
Smart Insulin
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Merck
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This drug will be actionable when the blood
glucose gets too high and will automatically switch off when glucose returns
to a safe level.
|
|
ShugaTrak
|
John Fitzpatrick
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A smartphone app that reads glucose levels and is
inputted under the skin for accurate results.
|
In February 2018, Sanofi SA had launched smart insulin or glucose-responsive insulin in Indian market. Launch of smart insulin in the is a major innovation in the Indian diabetes treatment industry. This device is able to act automatically according to the patient's blood sugar levels. Higher the blood sugar level, more insulin will be activated and vice versa. This innovative drug could prove to be a game changer in the Indian diabetes market as smart insulin, once launched, would eliminate repetitive injections and blood sugar level testing. With smart insulin, the patient would be relieved from routine hassles of blood glucose monitoring.
- Development of Artificial Pancreases
Artificial pancreas technology can be stated as the next step in the field of integrating insulin delivery systems and glucose monitors. It is projected to boost the Indian diabetes market as a breakthrough in treating and management of diabetes. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and JDRF are working in collaboration with continuous glucose monitoring system manufacturers in order to develop an artificial pancreas device system. It has been estimated that the cost of the artificial pancreas device may range from $5000-$8,000 along with the yearly cost of disposable sensors. The development of this innovative device system is projected to improve the monitoring system of glucose in diabetic patients. Research related to the development of artificial pancreas is still under progress, if approved can bring boost to the Indian diabetes industry.
