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Diabetes crisis for children in LMICs: new report urges pharma to act beyond donations
15 May 2025
Date
14 May 2025
ATMF report reveals that insulin remains out of reach for T1D patients in LMICs, children facing gross inequities
An Express Pharma article covers the release of the Access to Medicine Foundation’s new report from its Diabetes Programme, which assesses the pharmaceutical industry’s efforts to improve access to essential diabetes care products in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where many children and young people (CYP) do not have reliable access to insulin and other critical products for managing type 1 diabetes (T1D).
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The article underlines the importance of creating reliable access to essential products like insulin for CYP living with T1D in LMICs and the responsibility that pharmaceutical companies hold in bringing this to reality. It cites that less than 10% of the estimated 825,000 CYP in need of T1D care living in the 71 LMICs collectively covered by the initiatives analysed in the report were reached in 2023.
The article lists the five main findings from the report, relaying positive developments by the industry in improving access, while also identifying the critical areas of improvement still needed by the industry, as outlined in the report.
“Hundreds of thousands of children and young people in low- and middle-income countries face significant barriers to accessing essential insulin, supplies and care for managing type 1 diabetes. While the pharmaceutical industry is engaged in the effort to bridge access gaps, as needs grow, initiatives must prioritise widespread coverage, sustainability and affordability to save lives,” the article quotes Claudia Martínez, Director, Research, Access to Medicine Foundation.
