Beyond medicine: Diabetes toolkit highlights collaborative efforts taking aim at chronic conditions
31.03.14
In recent decades, we have made huge improvements in health outcomes and life expectancy, not only in Europe but also at global level. Medicines have played a key role in this achievement, notably in areas of infectious disease and chronic conditions. Now, we face new challenges. Key risk factors for chronic diseases (from age to adult obesity) are projected to increase; with them, we can expect increasing incidence and impact of conditions like diabetes. Also consider this: Chronic diseases already account for 75% (over E700billion) of Europe’s healthcare bill and are responsible for up to 7% GDP loss in some EU countries. There is clear need to take action in tackling chronic conditions like diabetes if we are to ensure a healthy European economy and society in the future – a #healthyEU as my colleague Richard Torbett would say.
Recognising this, the pharmaceutical industry is becoming increasingly engaged in the area of chronic diseases – and bringing a broader perspective to the table than ever before. Issues like diabetes require a “big picture” point of view; that means promoting awareness of preventative measures, interacting with patients to develop treatment programmes that work (and that patients will adhere to), and communicating with policy-makers and other healthcare stakeholders to find solutions. This requires collaboration across sectors. The Diabetes Toolkit is an excellent example, having been produced with the support of national MPs and MEPs from across Europe, leading patient representatives including the International Diabetes Federation Europe, and major players from the pharmaceutical industry.
This exemplifies the type of collaborative conversation we need now. It might sound odd coming from myself, someone who has long been a part of the pharmaceutical industry – but we need solutions that look beyond the medicine itself. If we want to enact real lasting changes, this is a must.
More Information:
http://www.idf.org/sites/default/files/ExPandPolicyToolkitonDiabetes_0.pdf
