Current Status of Diabetes in India and Need for Novel Therapeutic Agents

The global increase in the prevalence of diabetes is due to population growth, aging, urbanisation and an increase of obesity and physical inactivity. The primary determinants of the epidemic are the rapid epidemiological transition associated with changes in dietary patterns and decreased physical activity. Unlike in the West, where older populations are most affected, the burden of diabetes in Asian countries is disproportionately high in young to middle-aged adults.2,3 This could have long-lasting adverse effects on a nation’s health and economy, especially for developing countries. Healthcare expenditures on diabetes are expected to account for 11.6% of the total healthcare expenditure in the world in 2010. Estimated global healthcare expenditures to treat and prevent diabetes and its complications are expected to total at least 376 billion U.S. Dollars (USD) in 2010. By 2030, this number is projected to exceed some USD490 billion.1