Research finds doctors are optimistic about new diabetes drugs but concerned over rationing

New data from M3 Global Research shows that clinicians buy in to the effectiveness of new diabetes therapies. However, they are concerned about rationing and believe that more resources are needed to make them available to patients.

The survey of 121 endocrinologists, including diabetologists, shows many expect to see significant improvements in the outlook for patients with diabetes or diabetic complications over the next three years – and new drugs are largely responsible for their optimism.

Conducted across the EU, the study found that of the 103 doctors who selected diabetes or diabetic complications as the area in which they expect to see improvements in the next three years, the majority (85%) attributed this to new drugs/treatments being available.

Asked where they would like to see more resources channelled over the next three years, the majority of respondents chose diabetes. Sixty eight per cent of them wanted these resources to be devoted to ensuring better management of chronic conditions for patients with diabetes; while 51% wanted them to be used to make sure new drugs/treatments were accessible to patients.

Professor Steve Bain, Assistant Medical Director for Research & Development for ABM University Health Board and Clinical Lead for the Diabetes Research Network, Wales, said: 'This research highlights some important issues. Clinicians obviously buy in to the effectiveness of new diabetes therapies, of which there have been three new classes within the last ten years, and believe that there are more advances on the horizon.

'They also highlight the rationing of new therapies that currently takes place, based on the higher acquisition costs of these new medications. This is perhaps felt more keenly in diabetes because of the larger and growing number of cases, which makes payors more diligent regarding costs than they are in other disease areas. Maybe this reflects a widespread feeling that diabetes is largely self-inflicted and hence a big focus on patient education, despite its relatively modest benefits in real-life practice.'

The research, which was conducted across EU countries including the UK, France, Spain, Italy and Germany, will be the subject of a TweetChat hosted by PMLive and M3 – the global provider of technology services in healthcare, on Thursday, September 25 from 12 noon to 1pm (UK time).

During this event we will also be discussing how pharma can help to make diabetes drugs available in cash strapped healthcare markets and what it can do to improve patient care in this area. Potential topics for discussion will include pricing, patient education and changing the way that health services are delivered. Professor Steve Bain will be among the contributors.

Follow the discussion live on Twitter using the hashtag #M3diabetes and join in with your own questions and comments. Alternatively, visit PMLiVE to see live updates from the TweetChat in an embedded Twitter feed.  

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