Rapid urbanization, changing lifestyles and sub-optimal dietary habits are driving the incidence of diabetes in the Philippines leading to an increasing economic burden. According to the Department of Health, in 2013, diabetes was reported to be the sixth leading cause of death among Filipinos. More than half of the patients with diabetes were diagnosed only at a later stage, and the delay in the initiation of insulin led to higher costs for the health system due to diabetes-related complications. Almost 50% of diagnosed patients were not initiated on any treatment due to issues related to affordability and other healthcare system challenges.
In the run-up to the 100th anniversary of insulin, Biocon Biologics had unveiled its ‘Mission 10 cents’ program in 2019 to unlock universal access to high quality human insulin. The company is offering recombinant human insulin (rh-insulin) at less than USD 0.10 (approx. PHP 5) per day, assuming a daily dosage of 40 IU, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) for vials sourced by the government directly from the company. This is much lower when compared to the blended median patient prices in LMICs of USD 9 (approx. PHP 450) per 10ml vial translating to USD 0.36 (approx. PHP 18) daily.
With nearly two decades of experience in providing insulins and analogs to people with diabetes across the world, Biocon’s insulin glargine is commercialized in developed markets of US, Europe, and Japan. Its subsidiary, Biocon Biologics India Ltd., a fully integrated ‘pure play’ biosimilars company headquartered in Bangalore, India, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the governments of two municipalities in the Philippines and a social enterprise reach52 to enable affordable access to quality insulins.
The project, which will commence in the municipalities of Pototan, Iloilo, and Cuartero, Capiz on Panay Island will aim to develop a scalable framework to strengthen access to timely, affordable and quality diabetes care at the municipal level to ensure better patient outcomes and reduced cost of care.
“As a committed global insulins player, Biocon Biologics seeks to shift the access paradigm for patients in need of quality insulins across the globe through its ‘Mission 10 cents’ program. We are pleased to partner with the Philippines government for a long-term, integrated diabetes management program enabling affordable access for patients. This initiative is a part of our larger commitment to support low and middle-income countries build a sustainable healthcare ecosystem that enables equitable access to insulins. We are aware of the challenges associated with the affordability of insulin therapy even after 100 years of its discovery and are collaborating with like-minded partners to ensure pricing does not impede access for patients who need this life-saving therapy. We aspire to co-create with our partners a patient ecosystem that goes beyond the product to transform the lives of millions of diabetes patients globally,” notes Dr Christiane Hamacher, CEO, Biocon Biologics.
Pototan Mayor Rafael Enrique P. Lazaro remarked: “We are excited to work with both reach52 and Biocon Biologics on this program. Diabetes is one of the fastest growing diseases in the Philippines, affecting everyone from all walks of life. It is my honor and pleasure to facilitate this partnership on behalf of my constituents that will make healthcare accessible to lower-income residents, and look forward to seeing the results of this program deliver better healthcare for our municipality. It is my firm belief that a strong symbiotic partnership amongst government offices, non-profit organizations, and private corporations is essential to combat whatever obstacles we may face in the future.”
For his part, Cuartero Mayor Tito L. Mayo has this to say: “Cuartero, Capiz is a fourth-class municipality, with many of our residents living in upland barangays, far from the rural health unit. Diabetes is still a challenge for them too, and we need innovative partnerships like this one with reach52 and Biocon Biologics to serve everyone in Cuartero with essential health services.”