Affordable, innovative product solutions to spur European diabetes market

Heightened awareness and knowledge about diabetes are boosting the acceptance of insulin therapy among people with type 2 diabetes. This, together with the emergence of innovative and effective diabetes management solutions, will act as a major driver for the insulin market over the coming years, says global consulting company Frost & Sullivan.

It finds that the European diabetes market will earn revenues of US$2.80bn in 2005 and estimates this to reach $4.60bn in 2012.

At present, the insulin market is at a growth stage, while the oral antidiabetic market is in the mature phase. Despite cost barriers, nascent non-invasive insulin delivery technologies are set to stimulate overall market growth. Novel oral drugs such as the dual PPAR agonists currently in the pipeline, are poised to gain market share due their efficacy.

"Technological advancements in the field of drug delivery have propelled scientists to research new and more convenient forms of insulin delivery," said Frost & Sullivan research analyst Sylvia Miriyam Findlay. "The subsequent emergence of newer methods of insulin delivery including inhaled insulin, oral insulin and transdermal insulin will eventually expand the insulin market."

Reimbursement limitations are currently restraining the uptake of these newer and more expensive forms of insulin. For instance, inhaled insulin and oral insulin are typically costlier than standard insulin vials and cartridges. With reimbursement for insulin devices and novel forms of insulin still uncertain, the penetration of such novel insulin delivery forms across the EU will constitute a difficult task.

"Pharmaceutical companies need to work towards empowering diabetic patients to more effectively self-manage their condition," Findlay suggests. "They need to aggressively provide value-added services to enhance product differentiation, while promoting end-user familiarity with products."