Lilly unveils $30m NCD partnership initiative in developing world
This article was originally published in Scrip
Eli Lilly and Company expects to invest $30 million over five years as part of an initiative aimed at tackling non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in developing countries.
Lilly joins a growing number of large multinationals including Novartis, Novo Nordisk and Abbott that are using a multi-stakeholder approach in the developing world to help reduce the growing burden of NCDs via prevention, awareness and capacity-building initiatives, while expanding their businesses.
The Lilly NCD Partnership will see the Indianapolis-based company partner with health institutes in its core business areas - diabetes and cancer. Country-specific programmes are expected to be launched early next year, the company said. The first phase of the alliance will focus on improving diabetes care in targeted communities in Brazil, India, Mexico and South Africa, where Lilly has already identified certain partners.
Lilly said that the new programme is designed to identify comprehensive, sustainable approaches to patient care, which may include 'everything' from patient education and provider training to increased access to treatment. The partnership also expects to work closely with governments to narrow down on and prioritize healthcare solutions that reduce the burden of chronic diseases in 'cost effective' ways.
Some government efforts to control NCDs are already underway. The Indian government earlier said that it plans to launch a national programme on NCDs that will focus on health promotion, prevention of exposure to risk factors, early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation services. India's cabinet committee on economic affairs had earlier approved a financial outlay of about Rs12.30 billion ($263.7 million) for a national programme for prevention and control of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Massive screening programmes for diabetes and hypertension are already being implemented.
India ramp up
Lilly's latest announcement comes even as it appears to be keen to ramp up in the diabetes segment in India. Sandeep Gupta, chairman and managing director, Eli Lilly India, was reported in as saying that the company aims to create a diabetes 'powerhouse' in the country, with a target of tripling revenues over the next five years while expanding its reach to about 1,300 towns from over 400 currently.
Lilly had some months ago announced a partnership with Lupin, under which the Indian firm would promote and distribute Lilly's human insulin range of products in India and Nepal, doubling doctor reach for the products to about 45,000.
With an estimated 51 million diabetics in India, analysts expect lots of action in the domestic market. Datamonitor had earlier predicted that the Indian antidiabetic market will grow from $441m in 2009 to $804m in 2019 at a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. Although strongest growth is expected in the non-insulin market, the insulin market is expected to generate revenues of $179m in 2019, with Novo Nordisk's pre-mixed insulin product Mixtard 30/70 and Lilly's pre-mixed insulin Humulin Mix seen dominating the market then. Novo Nordisk, with a complete suite of insulin products, among other factors, is forecast to remain the highest-selling company in 2019, according to Datamonitor.