Recent statistics from the CDC show that the number of diabetes cases in the US continues to rise — one in 12 Americans now suffer from the disease. This tragic phenomenon is a large part of the reason we are seeing so many public health campaigns unsuccessfully attempting to reverse the trend. The study also highlights why so many pharmaceutical and medical device companies are entering the diabetes treatment field or ramping up their existing offerings to diabetics.
Companies catering to 24 million diabetic Americans (or around 8% of the US population) include traditional insulin makers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, as well as device makers such as Abbott Diabetes Care and Bayer Healthcare Diabetes.
Established companies such as these are modernizing their product offerings by ramping up R&D efforts. Lilly is developing a once-a-week insulin-replacement therapy with biotech partner Amylin, and Abbot recently received approval for a new continuous glucose monitoring system.
Top pharmaceutical companies, such as Pfizer and Merck, are also expanding their diabetes operations by making diabetic treatments a top R&D priority, and big name biotechs like Amgen are looking to create alternative biologics-based treatments. Many small startup development companies, such as Phenomix and Spherix, are putting diabetes therapies at the forefront of their efforts.
One shining point in the survey shows that the percentage of diabetics who are aware of their condition has improved by 5%, which leads me to the assumption that a larger number of diabetics are seeking treatment — another plus for drug and device makers.
Comments
NickyW Says:
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:20 am
I think employers need to take a bigger role in employee health — in most cases, they’re the ones who are going to have to pay for all these health ailments and drugs. I think modern Americans are getting fatter and unhealthier (despite the availability and access to the healthiest foods) because they are sitting in front of computers working longer hours than ever before. Companies should subsidize health club benefits, build their own gyms, and institutes other programs. Also, companies need to help employees cultivate a work-life balance. I can imagine that stress that leads weight gain probably has a lot to do with the rise in diabetes.
Some societal changes would be a heck of a lot better than lining the pockets of drug companies.
John MacAyeal Says:
July 2nd, 2008 at 8:44 am
Employers are taking a bigger role in employee health. Dell for instance will ban smoking entirely at all its facilities starting next year. That may be the beginning of a trend.
Murali.R Says:
July 3rd, 2008 at 12:37 am
Diabetes should be controlled at any way because diabetes will lead to other diseases. We can reduce the risk of diabetes by exercise, food control, good sleep etc. I had read in many journals that diabetes is somewhat hereditary. The persons beloging to that family should be more careful than others.I also read from some journals that now studies shows that some medicines which is used for diabetes will affect heart.( I don’t know the truth). And until now we were unable to found out the real cause and remedy for diabetes. Prevention is better than cure so by healthy living only we can avoid diabetes to a certain extend. Using a lot of vegetables in food will help us.
Anna E. Wooten Says:
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:38 am
If a person has positive thoughts about diabetes, for their body for developing this cabo challange that has developed, take their medication as prescribed and eat a high protein diet with lots of vegetable stay away from carb’s like corn bread, eat flourless bread that is made from sprouts, it is flourless. Have bran or oat bran in their morning meal, they can loose weight if they are overweight,And keep their diabetes under control. I have done it for 1 year, my a1c was 8.0 and now it is 6.0 And exersise, I got a volunteer job were I walk a lot for 4 hrs every day. It is a blessing for me. My doctors say what ever I am doing keep it up. Eat lean beef 4 % fat. Buffalow is grass feed, Laura’s beef is grass fed. Use olive oil in cooking and in your food. Two cupps of milk and apples, Eat lots of milk products that have good bacteria in it. Lots of green salad’s with at least two meals use oil and vinegar. Stay away from starchy deserts. I am glad that I got this disorder, I am eating healthier and doing very good with my positive attitude. They say attitude is everything and they are right.And a belief in a higher power. Were you can turn your challenges over to something, It really helps, and talking with family and friends helps also.
Salista Robertson Says:
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:47 am
It worries me that these drug companies will putting money and research into these diseases that have a big potential market rather than bigger medical issues that don’t have as much potential monetary return.
Mets2009 Says:
July 3rd, 2008 at 8:53 am
@Salista:
What do you mean? Are you saying diabetes is not important!!! I for one can tell you that it is a big deal!!
Vasilly Porechenkov Says:
July 3rd, 2008 at 11:17 am
I think it’s pretty clear that’s not what she’s saying. She’s talking about ROI.
Salista Robertson Says:
July 8th, 2008 at 9:50 am
@Mets2009
No,that’s not what I’m saying at all, and I didn’t mean to offend you or anyone else.
The last commenter is correct — This is a site about business, and I’m looking at this from a business angle. If a disorder or disease such as diabetes is prevalent in more developed countries, it may be more likely that pharma companies develop more trials around drugs used to cure or treat that disorder, rather than spend that time and money on a disease that is only seen in less developed countries. It’s just a simple matter of market forces. Drug makers go after the most attractive market just like any other company.
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