In Nigeria, around 5 million people are suffering from diabetes and this figure is expected to double within the next 20 years, with 63% undiagnosed and many that are diagnosed, not correctly controlled. 76% of deaths due to diabetes are in people under the age of 60 on the African continent.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas is no longer able to make insulin, or when the body cannot make good use of the insulin it produces. Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, that acts like a key to let glucose from the food we eat pass from the blood stream into the cells in the body to produce energy. All carbohydrate foods are broken down into glucose in the blood. Insulin helps glucose get into the cells. Type 2 diabetes accounts for approximately 90% of diabetes.
It may remain undetected for many years and the diagnosis is often made when a complication appears or a routine blood or urine glucose test is done. It is often, but not always, associated with overweight or obesity, which itself can cause insulin resistance and lead to high blood glucose levels. People with type 2 diabetes can often initially manage their condition through exercise and diet. However, over time most people will require oral drugs and or insulin.
Patients are exposed to many complications including vascular complications, blindness and limb amputation, which can be prevented by treatment with insulin and effective, close management of patients.
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With the introduction of INSUMAN®, a leading human insulin product from Sanofi’s range of diabetes treatments, Sanofi is now the only company to provide a full range of both oral and injectable treatments for patients with diabetes in Nigeria.
With over 90 years’ experience in developing and manufacturing Insulin, Sanofi is a world leader in delivering quality, innovative solutions to meet the needs of patients. The INSUMAN® range allows for individualized treatment (basal, rapid and premix) available in both Vials and Cartridges.
INSUMAN® has been licensed in 90 countries and is manufactured to the highest international standards in Germany. Since its first introduction 17 years ago, more than 5 million patient-years with INSUMAN® have been accumulated.
To better support the patients in the management of their disease, Sanofi has also announced their support in the opening of 12 dedicated diabetes and hypertension clinics in partnership with health authorities. The first clinic was recently inaugurated, at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital.
“In 2015, across Nigeria, we will support the creation of 12 clinics for Diabetes and 2/2 Hypertension in partnership with health authorities. These clinics will be established in dedicated healthcare centers to increase screening, disease awareness and patient education.” said Abderrahmane Chakibi, General Manager, Sanofi Nigeria-Ghana.
“Combining the range with ALLSTAR™, a new, disposable, injection pen will help make the lives of patients easier in Nigeria with a simple, safe to use and affordable solution”, he added.
The availability of the new range of human insulin INSUMAN®, the injection pen ALLSTAR® and the support of clinics for the better management of the disease is in direct response to the healthcare needs of patients with diabetes in Nigeria.
“In 2016, we aim to deploy 24 more clinics” Chakibi concludes.
