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You are here: Home > Educators > Level 2 Business and Economics Education > Break-Even Analysis: Insulin > Diabetes and the Choice of Insulin |
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Break-Even Analysis: Insulin - Diabetes and the Choice of InsulinRead the following information. While doing so, start thinking about which insulin would be the best choice for consumers and governments. 
The increase in diabetes is directly linked to the increase in obesity worldwide. © Michal Zacharzewski, Stock.Xchng The three countries with the highest rates of diabetes are India, China, and the United States. It is predicted that one of the greatest increases in the next few years will be in India. Diabetes is a disease that affects around 3% of the UK population - that's around 1.4 million people. In the UK for every 100,000 children, around 18 develop diabetes each year. By the year 2010 it is thought that diabetes will affect two million people in the UK and 200 million people worldwide. The cost of treating diabetes in 1999 in the UK was about £320 million. If the costs of all the complications of diabetes are included, the cost may be up to 10% of NHS resources. In financial terms this means a cost of £2.1 - 2.4 billion. Animal derived insulins have been used to treat people with diabetes since insulin was first discovered in the 1920s. Genetically produced 'human' insulin was introduced in 1982, and now most people requiring insulin treatment are given 'human' insulin. However, after 20 years there is still no evidence that 'human' insulins have any advantages for patients and they cost the NHS significantly more than animal insulins. A number of people experience adverse reactions when treated with 'human' insulin and these adverse reactions often disappear with a change to natural animal insulin. Some patients have reported large weight increase, extreme tiredness, memory loss, behavioural changes, and joint and muscle pains. Places to look for more information about diabetes and the choice of insulin:
Write up your ideas on the best choice of insulin using the title 'Break-even decisions and treatments for diabetes'. You might find it helpful to think about the following:
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