Expert Calls on FG and Governors to Make Diabetes Drugs Affordable

Dr. Olubiyi Adesina, an endocrinologist at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has voiced serious concerns about the escalating expense of diabetes drugs in Nigeria, highlighting the significant financial burden it creates on patients at the hospital.

At the Talabi Diabetes Centre 4th Annual Ogun Youth Diabetes Camp Closing Ceremony held at the Youth Development Centre, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in Abeokuta on Wednesday, 21 August 2024, Adesina revealed that an average person with diabetes in Nigeria now requires between N70,000 to N100,000 monthly for medication.

A price that many, he claimed, cannot afford. He pointed out that the recent depreciation of the Naira was the reason behind the dramatic increase in prescription costs, citing insulin as an example, which used to cost between N6,000 and N8,000, now costs between N13,000 and N18,000, depending on the dosage needed.

“In Nigeria, it is really difficult to afford insulin. Diabetes patients receive free insulin, blood sugar monitoring meters, and glucometers in other places, including in neighboring countries like Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, and Cameroon, according to Adesina.

Participants in the event also discussed the difficulties of having Type 1 diabetes in Nigeria, such as the requirement for numerous daily insulin injections, the current average cost of insulin pens at N18,000, and the prejudice they encounter from peers and teachers in schools.

To make diabetic medication more accessible and affordable, Adesina demanded immediate government action. In his words, “The government needs to sit back and examine the accessibility and affordability of diabetes drugs for patients.” The request for action is being made at a time when the growing cost of living is causing hardship for many Nigerians.

In a statement presented by Adesina, Ayotunde Ale, Acting Director of the Talabi Diabetes Center, emphasized the significance of controlling Type 1 diabetes, characterizing it as a chronic illness stemming from the immune system targeting insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Ale emphasized the need for careful monitoring to avoid serious side effects such as renal failure, blindness, and even death. He further warned that skipping insulin injections by even one day could result in a coma by the third day.

“We have 36 young people from different states in Nigeria who have Type 1 diabetes and range in age from 10 to 25. They are accompanied by their caregivers. We had 15 new participants this year, which shows the progress we are making. Giving these children the skills they need to live a happy life is vital, Ale stated.

Read Also: PENGASSAN Vows to Continue Fight Against Crude Oil Theft