Aspen and SEMDSA, together as joint forces, highlight the alarming rise of non-communicable diseases in SA and are set to change this narrative.

Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited, a global multinational specialty pharmaceutical company, launched an awareness campaign around the alarming rise and associated risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially diabetes, with the Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa (SEMDSA) on World Diabetes Day.

There has been a notable global increase in NCDs, which are collectively responsible for 74% of deaths worldwide and include cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory disease, cancer and diabetes. This trend is being mirrored in South Africa where major NCDs have increased 58,7% over the past 20 years and it is set to continue along this trajectory. Some 71% of global deaths (41 million) are attributed to NCDs with 1.5 million being for diabetes, and with 80% of NCDs being classified as premature.

Stavros Nicolaou, Aspen Group Senior Executive Strategic Trade said, “There is a strong link between obesity, diabetes, and cancer, with the former triggering what has become known as the metabolic-cardio-renal complex of diseases. If left unarrested, the economic impact of NCDs will significantly over-burden an already highly stretched healthcare system and impact lives and livelihoods. On World Diabetes Day, we strongly encourage people to learn about the risks of diabetes and assess their own risk, to understand the differences between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, and to seek appropriate support from their healthcare professional if they are concerned about their health.”

“Aspen remains committed to contributing towards the management of NCDs, as has been demonstrated by the Group’s investment of more than R10 billion in sterile manufacturing capacity. This capability has positioned Aspen as an emerging contributor in rapidly expanding the production of treatment options for diabetes.”

“Aligned to this commitment we have also noted, with concern, the increasing lack of suitably qualified medical professionals to treat NCDs, and we are pleased to announce a Fellowship to SEMDSA for medical specialisation in the field of Endocrinology.”

Dr Reyna Daya, SEMDSA President said, “Approximately 50% of South Africans with diabetes remain undiagnosed, and this NCD has reached pandemic proportions. Diabetes treatment requires multiple resources, and we are currently experiencing a shortage of healthcare professionals who can treat diabetes and its complications. Our country also needs to increase awareness and heighten discussions around this disease. These patients are at risk of developing both significant and severe cardiac and renal complications, both of which require access to special care units, which are sadly lacking across our provinces. There is already a significant economic impact to productivity with patients who are presenting diabetes and its complications. Irrespective of a patient’s position on the social ladder, once diagnosed, there is hope with treatment options, albeit that they remain costly and inaccessible to many.”

Aspen’s investment in world class pharmaceutical manufacturing in South Africa has improved supply security and infectious disease prevention in Africa, thereby assisting with the African Union’s overall objective of solving regional health issues through local capabilities. Additional investment has also targeted skills development, talent retention, and new technology, which has positioned Aspen to respond swiftly to breakout pandemics and has become a significant differentiator for the Group.

Diabetes key facts

• Diabetes, classified as a non-communicable disease (NCD), has reached pandemic proportions.
• At least 1 in 10 adults has diabetes, 1 in 2 is undiagnosed.
• Type 2 diabetes is massively on the rise in children and young adults.
• NCD-related deaths are on the rise and morbidities are becoming more complicated, including cardiovascular events and renal failure (cardio-renal- metabolic syndrome).
• In South Africa, Type 1 diabetes accounts for 39 healthy years of life lost per person.
• Diabetes has many hidden faces. We are now seeing a proliferation of young Type 2 diabetes patients (childhood obesity).
• There is a significant link between diabetes and obesity – approximately 60% of women in South Africa are overweight/obese and 40% of males.
• As South Africa, we are not doing well in managing diabetes. Left unarrested, this will overwhelm our healthcare system with significant impact on lives, livelihoods, productivity and the economy.
• Despite multiple treatment options people with Type 2 diabetes still experiences poor glycemic control.

Global Diabetes Key Facts | World Health Organisation (WHO, 2024)

• NCDs kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 71% of all deaths globally.
• Each year, more than 15 million people die from an NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years; 85% of these “premature” deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries.
• 77% of all NCD deaths are in low- and middle-income countries.
• Cardiovascular diseases account for most NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people annually, followed by cancers (9.3 million), respiratory diseases (4.1 million), and diabetes (1.5 million).
• These four groups of diseases account for over 80% of all premature NCD deaths.
• Tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets all increase the risk of dying from a NCD.
• Detection, screening and treatment of NCDs, as well as palliative care, are key components of the response to NCDs.

References:

• 1 Statistics SA, Report 03-08-01: Non communicable diseases: Findings from death notifications (2008-2018), published
  17 October 2023.
  2 World Health Organisation, Noncommunicable Diseases, Key Facts

References:

• American Diabetes Association, 2022. 6. Glycemic Targets: Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes—2022. Diabetes Care, 45(Supplement_1), pp.S83-S96.
• Goedecke, J.H., Jennings, C.L. and Lambert, E.V., 2021. Obesity in South Africa. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, p.715956. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2021.715956/full [Accessed 12
  November 2024].
• IDF (2019) Diabetes Atlas – Ninth edition 2019, International Diabetes Federation. Available at: https://www.diabetesatlas.org/upload/resources/material/20200302_133351_IDFATL AS9e-final-web.pdf (Accessed: 12 November 2024).
• JDRF, 2023. Type 1 Diabetes Index: South Africa. Available at:
  https://www.t1dindex.org/countries/south-africa/ [Accessed 12 November 2024].
• Lawrence, J.M., Divers, J. and Mayer-Davis, E.J., 2023. Youth-Onset Type 2 Diabetes: The Epidemiology of an Awakening Epidemic. Diabetes Care, 46(3), pp.490-499.
• Pappachan JM, Fernandez CJ, Ashraf AP. Rising tide: The global surge of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents demands action now. World J Diabetes. 2024 May 15;15(5):797-809.
• Usman MS, Khan MS, Butler J. The Interplay Between Diabetes, Cardiovascular Disease, and kidney disease. 2021 Jun. In: Chronic Kidney Disease and Type 2 Diabetes. Arlington (VA): American Diabetes Association; 2021 Jun. Available from:
  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK571718/ doi: 10.2337/db20211-13
• WHO (2024) Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases (Accessed: 12 November 2024).