uk obesity-nhs spending 8% of total medicines bill treating diabetes

8/4/2019 UK Obesity-NHS Spending 8% of Total Medicines Bill Treating Diabetes

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Soaring obesity levels mean NHS is nowspending 8% of its entire medicines bill treating

diabetes

Cost rises to 725m from 513m four years ago

By Daniel Martin

Last updated at 1:53 AM on 25th August 2011

Britains obesity crisis has led to a massive increase in the amount of money spent on drugs to treat diabetes,

figures show.

Diabetes drugs now account for 8.4 per cent of the NHS medicines bill, costing taxpayers 725 million a year.

The amount spent in 2010/11 was up an enormous 41 per cent on the 513 million spent in 2005/06. This

compares to an 11 per cent rise in the overall cost of the NHS drugs bill between the two periods.

Obesity has been linked to the spiralling number of people developing type 2 diabetes, a condition which the NHS spends 8.4% of its

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budget treating

One in every 25 prescription items now dispensed is for diabetes - accounting for 38.3 million items, according

to the England data from the NHS Information Centre. This is up 41 per cent on the number in 2005/06 (27.1

million).

Most of the rise is down to the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, which is linked to obesity and unhealthy lifestyles.

Around a quarter of adults of now obese so fat their health is in danger, but experts believe that by 2050 this

could exceed 50 per cent.

There are 2.5 million people in the UK with Type 2 diabetes while a further 850,000 people are estimated to be

undiagnosed.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TYPES 1 AND 2 DIABETES

Type 1 diabetes is caused by a lack of insulin output because of auto-immune damage to the pancreas gland.

The most common cause in Type 1 diabetes is the bodys own immune system.

Insulin-producing cells in the pancreas of people with Type 1 diabetes are destroyed by cells that normally

defend us from invading organisms.

Type 2 diabetes is caused by insufficient production of insulin in the pancreas and a resistance to the action of

insulin in the body's cells - especially in muscle, fat and liver cells.

This form is strongly associated with being overweight, but it's less clear what causes it.

In the first few years after diagnosis with Type 2 diabetes high levels of insulin circulate in the blood because

the pancreas can still produce the hormone.

Eventually insulin production dwindles.

It follows warnings that the NHS could be bankrupt by the middle of the decade unless Britain gets to grips with

what has been called the obesity timebomb.

Many people are on a combination of drugs to try to keep their blood sugar levels under control, and two out ofthree items now dispensed manage the bodys own production of insulin.

The next most commonly issued drugs are injectable insulins, which are vital when the pancreas cannot

produce enough of the hormone itself.

Insulin works by keeping the level of sugar in the bloodstream within a normal range.

NHS Information Centre chief executive Tim Straughan said: Todays report paints a picture of an ever

increasing drugs bill to cope with the demands of society triggered by diabetes.

This information will help people and health professionals see the impact that caring for diabetes has on NHS

prescribing; and support the NHS in planning for how to best address the condition moving forward.

Bridget Turner, head of policy and care improvement at Diabetes UK, said: This report reinforces that

diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges this country faces.

Increasing diabetes prevalence has largely caused this rise in cost and numbers of prescriptions. Diabetes UK

believes that people should have access to the most appropriate treatment to manage their diabetes and

reduce the risk of devastating complications.

The long-term costs of poor diabetes management, such as caring for someone whos had a heart attack or

stroke, lost their sight or lower limb, far outweigh those of the drugs that help prevent such complications.

Investment in education, support and improving access to reduce variations of care will empower people to


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effectively self-manage their condition. This will tackle the spiralling rates and costs of diabetes and help those

diagnosed with the condition stay healthy.

Obesity also increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and certain types of cancer.

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Comments (16)

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Type 2 diabetic and NEVER overweight. The two are not inextricably linked.

- Phil Payne, Sheffield, 25/8/2011 11:50

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soaring obesity levels? pity someone doesn't tell Marks and Spencer despite sorting through literally hundreds of pairs of trousers it

was impossible to find anything above a 42" waist no trouble in B andQs though

- jeza, maidstone, 25/8/2011 11:38


Report abuse

I'm with all the slim diabetics. I have never been overweight I have had type 2 for 15 years and am now 64, very active and aleays

have been. STOP linking type 2 to obesity. This report will demonise all type 2 in the populations eyes.

- Richard, Oxfordshire, 25/8/2011 11:03


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Fat Tax, Fat Tax, Fat Tax..the only way to dissuade people from eating it...duh

- Cynic, Dyed in the wool, 25/8/2011 10:45

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I am sick of this constant attack on sufferers of diabetes, like we are the scurge of society! There are many reasons why diabetes is

on the rise as a disease and it is also rising in countries like Iraq where they dont have junk food etc or obesity problems in the same

way that we do in the western world. Diabetes can have a strong hereditary link and this seems to be increasing. Certainly, it does

not mean that you are obese if you have diabetes, as I myself can prove! I am a size 10/12 and was diagnosed in my late 20's with

type 2 diabetes. I am an ex-athlete and have always maintained a healthy lifestyle and diet, have never smoked or drunk alcohol but

have a strong hereditary problem in my family. What about the cost to the NHS caused by alcohol or smoking? Yet you rarely hear

about that in DM do you? To Jane, Guildford, Surrey, 25/8/2011 08:30 Im sorry you dont get your prescriptions for free, you should!

But your ignorance towards your colleague is astounding.

- DA, Earth, 25/8/2011 10:35



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Report abuse

I am 5'4" - I weigh 8 stone and I have had diabetes 2 for 10 years. I am not obese and never have been so II resent all these

comments that it 's only obese people who develop diabetes. Regarding the prescription issue - people in Scotland and I think in

Wales ALL get free prescriptions so write to the Government don't just moan about it!

- Gardener, Oban, Scotland, 25/8/2011 10:32


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uk obesity-nhs spending 8% of total medicines bill treating diabetes

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