Coalition launches campaign to reduce price of insulin pens

The National Action on Sugar Reduction (NASR), in partnership with Persons Living with Diabetes in Nigeria, has launched a media call-to-action campaign to raise awareness of the high cost of diabetes treatment.

The groups also urged President Bola Tinubu, to urgently address the exorbitant cost of insulin and other medications for people living with diabetes.

Mr Bernard Enyia, Vice President of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, lamented the situation during the launch on Monday in Abuja.

Enyia, who is also a Co-Chair of the NASR coalition and a person living with diabetes, lamented the cost of Insulin skyrocketing in recent times, making it unaffordable for many diabetes patients across the country.

“With an estimated 11.2 million Nigerians living with type 2 diabetes, it is crucial for the government to take action.

“Also, implementing higher taxes on sugary drinks can generate substantial revenue for the government, which can be used to fund diabetes treatment and care, ultimately saving and safeguarding lives,” Enyia said.

He said that through this campaign, NASR aimed to drive policymaker action toward supporting people living with diabetes through policy best buys such as raising taxes on the consumption of sugary drinks.

“Since 2022, the price of 10 millilitres of insulin has soared from N3,500 to approximately N11,000 in 2024. Additionally, insulin pens now cost around N65,000 each.

“Managing diabetes requires substantial funds, with people living with diabetes spending over N100,000 monthly on insulin, syringes and vital equipment such as glucometers to monitor blood sugar levels,” he lamented.

He called on the president to increase and allocate revenue from Nigeria’s sugary drinks tax toward the treatment and care of people living with diabetes and other non-communicable diseases in the country.

He said currently, the tax stands at 1.67 per cent of the retail price, while the World Health Organisation (WHO), recommends a minimum of 20 per cent.

“Research suggests that raising the tax to this level could generate N729 billion 471.8 million dollars annually, supporting much-needed healthcare initiatives, including diabetes care,”.

He said that the campaign launched across print and online features striking images that tell the stories of individuals living with diabetes particularly the financial toll of insulin and other essential medications on their wellbeing.

“Diabetes took my eye. Insulin prices could take my life,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria(NAN), reports that WHO issued a warning, indicating that NCDs are poised to become the leading cause of mortality in Africa by 2030 unless swift actions are taken by member states.

The 2018 WHO country profiles show that NCDs accounted for 29 per cent of all deaths in Nigeria with CVDs responsible for 11 per cent of all NCD deaths.

The country profile also shows that the risk of dying prematurely from NCDs in Nigeria is 22 per cent.

Premature mortality in this instance is defined as death occurring between ages 30 and 70 years from any of the common NCDs.

NAN reports that NASR is a coalition dedicated to raising awareness of the health harms of sugary drinks and advocating for policies that promote public health in Nigeria.