More than 5.8 million people are now living with diabetes in the UK. Behind that number lies a rapidly growing challenge that threatens to overwhelm the NHS if left unchecked.The financial pressure is already significant.
Each patient living with diabetes may develop additional complications over time, multiplying the burden on health systems many times over. Diabetes-related complications cost the NHS approximately £6.2 billion per year, accounting for roughly 60 percent of the total direct spending on diabetes care.
According to the World Obesity Federation, the UK is projected to have over 40 percent of adults living with obesity by 2035, placing it among the most affected countries in Europe.
With obesity recognised by the NHS as the leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes, this trend represents a significant public health concern.
Off-patent medicines, including biosimilar insulins and generic GLP 1s, may play an important role in improving access to treatment and supporting healthcare system efficiency.
Patent expiries for branded medicines enable competition from biosimilars and generics, supporting healthcare systems in managing expenditure more efficiently and allowing resources to be appropriately redirected towards prevention and long-term risk reduction.
Across all therapeutic areas, biosimilars and generics currently account for four in every five NHS prescription medicines and save the NHS up to £300 million each year. These savings can free up NHS resources to be reallocated in other critical areas.
Earlier diagnosis programmes, for example, could help to diagnose diabetes before complications set in, including people living with prediabetes. For these individuals, a simple test and timely intervention could mean the difference between a manageable condition and a life defined by escalating health problems.
Manufacturers of biosimilars and generics play a role in helping the UK maximise the benefits of off-patent medicines, including by supporting competition, patient access, particularly for chronic conditions such as diabetes, and supporting the sustainability of the healthcare system.
In parallel, governments, regulators, and NHS bodies have a role in considering how best to support appropriate uptake of biosimilar insulins and generic GLP 1s, where suitable. In the case of biosimilars, procurement and tendering processes should move beyond headline price and adopt an assessment of value that takes relevant factors into account.
While biosimilar insulins and generic GLP 1s are not a panacea, given the scale and complexity of the challenge, they could form part of the UK’s overall strategy to address diabetes and obesity.
By embracing off-patent diabetes medicines, the NHS may be able to redirect resources toward prevention-focused measures, such as improved screening, earlier intervention, and better education, which may support sustainability at a time of constrained budgets and growing demand.
(Shreehas Tambe is the CEO and MD of Biocon Limited)
