WHO calls for ending insulin monopoly

“The scientists who discovered insulin 100 years ago refused to profit from their discovery and sold the patent for just a dollar,” WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on November 12.

“Unfortunately, that gesture of solidarity has been overtaken by a multi-billion dollar business that has created huge access gaps. WHO is working with countries and manufacturers to address these gaps and bring this life-saving drug to everyone who needs it.”

The WHO’s position on generics was clarified in a new report commemorating the centenary of the discovery of human insulin.

Diabetes, once considered a disease of rich countries, is now increasing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). According to WHO estimates, three out of four people with diabetes are in LMICs, but they are also those who have the least access to insulin.

Apart from the high price, the main barrier to access is the fast rate of prescription of analog insulin, which has replaced much cheaper human insulin.

Worldwide, three companies—Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk and Sanofi—control the insulin market. These companies control 95% of the market in LMICs. Insulin cost for one month for type 1 diabetic patient in India is estimated 10-12,000 depending on the dosage. Associated diabetes treatments can drag up the cost of care 20,000.

The WHO said it would launch a new prequalification program for long-acting insulin analogs. “The purpose of these programs is to provide a regulatory pathway to improve the availability of biosimilar insulins. On greater market participation of suppliers of biosimilar insulins, there can be positive competition on price, quality and supply, leading to better affordability over time. is,” WHO said.

Insulin is a hormone that controls the blood sugar levels of individuals. Although in patients who cannot naturally produce insulin, insulin injections are a life saver. Insulin injections over the years have seen an upgrade from human insulin, that is, insulin made in laboratories to provide rapid blood sugar management by genetically modifying the DNA of bacteria by amplifying proteins inside the bacteria.

“Unless the price of all types of insulin and the medical supplies needed to monitor and monitor this treatment decrease, governments will continue to struggle to manage this controllable disease,” said Lina Menghaneni, attorney for Médecins Sans. People with diabetes will continue to die.” Frontiers (MSF), an organization that works for access to medicines. MSF is pushing Indian drugmaker Biocon, which is leading the worldwide biosimilar insulin scheme, to apply for WHO pre-qualification to start supplying to other LMICs. Without too many regulatory constraints.