The cost of diabetes has doubled in 6 years, an NHS report shows. Prescribing for Diabetes in England: 2005/6 to 2011/12 shows that ‘Drugs for diabetes’ is the pharmaceutical section of highest cost and greatest increase in cost in primary care in England over the past year. It has been the most expensive prescription category since 2007.
Health and Social Care Information Centre Chief Executive Tim Straughan commented: “The National Diabetes Audit and the Quality and Outcomes Framework also demonstrate the impact of diabetes is widespread in all areas of the health service, from pharmacy to hospital care.” He added, “When all this information is considered together, it presents a full and somewhat concerning picture of the increasing impact of this condition.”
A total of 2.5 million people in England are currently diagnosed with diabetes and this figure is predicted to reach 4.2 million by 2025.
Barbara Young, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, has stressed that it is time to “grasp the nettle” on diabetes prevention. She advised: “We need a government-funded awareness-raising campaign on the risk factors and symptoms of type 2 diabetes and we need to get much better at identifying people as high risk so they can be given the support they need to prevent the condition.”
Health Minister Simon Burns hopes that actions taken to improve the nation’s diet and exercise levels will solve this threat to the NHS, stating: “We know the risk of developing type 2 diabetes can be reduced by eating a healthy diet and increasing activity levels. That’s why last year we launched Change4Life – we are encouraging everyone to eat less and move more.”
