(a) whether the number of diabetic patients are increasing in the country;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the poor diabetic patients are not able to afford the rapidly increasing cost of Insulin therapy; and
(d) if so, the steps taken to provide adequate treatment and insulin injection/tablets at subsidised rate to the patients?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)
(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5655 FOR 25.4.2001.
According to Indian Council of Medical Research, there is epidemiological evidence showing increase in prevalence of diabetes, particularly in the urban areas of the country. The reason of increase may be attributed to ageing population, unhealthy diets, obesity and sedentary life style.
The prices of different types of insulin based formulation (injectables) packs are fixed/revised from time to time based on the company`s application. However, in order to make available the insulin to poor patients at reasonable prices, NPPA held discussions with manufacturers/importers of insulin formulations. As a result, some leading companies have reaffirmed the supply of insulin based formulations at special (discounted rates) prices for poor & needy patients through Government Hospital & Institutions.
Diabetes treatment is done at all levels in the rural health care delivery system and urban health care institutions. There are also around 100 Government Medical Colleges in the country, besides premier institutions like All India Institute of medical Sciences, which are providing both secondary and tertiary diabetes management facilities. A Pilot Project on `Strengthening of Bio-Chemical Laboratories and Quality Assurance` was initiated in 1999-2000 in the States of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Punjab.