The European market for type 2 diabetes drug treatments is set to grow 3.8% annually, from a value of 9.50 billion euros in 2009 to 15.46 billion euros in 2017, say new forecasts.
Over 55 million people in Europe were diagnosed with diabetes in 2012, and this number is expected to reach 64 million by 2030, adds the study, from Frost & Sullivan.
Overall, the growth rate of the insulin segment accounted for some 52% of Europe’s total European type 2 diabetes market in 2012, and is being boosted by the improvements seen with modern insulins. Several insulin analogues in development can potentially offer better overall outcomes resulting from their liver-targeted action.
Around Europe, F&S finds that the biggest challenge to UK diabetes care is the reform of commissioning structures, combined with 40.61 billion euros-worth of efficiency savings, resulting in reductions in specialist treatment. In Germany, however, the need for a consistent national diabetes plan remains the key area of focus. Market growth will likely depend on testing volumes, which will in turn drive expansion for diabetes diagnostics and therapeutics, with a number of new product launches expected in the next two years.
France is tackling diabetes in the broader framework of the fight against chronic disease and promotion of improved nutrition. Also, French diabetes patients benefit from full reimbursement of all treatments and supplies.
Italy has introduced new, potentially innovative drugs with monitoring projects that seek to define the future role of new medicines in clinical practice, and the focus on integrated management and care is likely to bring multiple diabetes services under one roof.
In Spain, where the prevalence of gestational diabetes was as high as 8.8% in 2011, telemedicine is being introduced in hospitals for diabetes care, which is likely to improve speed and access to care.
The Netherland is tackling key challenges such as prevention care, understanding the impact of the bundled payment approach on healthcare and multi-morbidity, while in Norway the biggest challenge over the next two years will include the roll-out and financing of the national strategy for diabetes as well as the establishment of diabetes registers.
In Sweden, anticipated changes over the next two years include implementation of patient-focused diabetes care, research and education, while Finland is reportedly the world’s first nation to have introduced a comprehensive programme providing patients with annual and biennial check-ups, says F&S.
