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Health

A Bittersweet Deal - The Diabetes Business

June 9, 2022

In our modern consumer society, Type 2 diabetes has become a widespread disease. Companies are developing drugs that are increasingly expensive, but not necessarily more effective. Health authorities are powerless.

https://p.dw.com/p/4CRls
Dokumentation "Diabetes - Eine lukrative Volkskrankheit"
Image: Andana
Medizin Diabetes Insulinspritze
Image: Fotolia/Dmitry Lobanov

Diabetes is spreading rapidly, all over the world. The disease destroys lives and puts a strain on public budgets. The UN is calling on governments to take action.

Mexiko | Ungesundes Essen für Kinder
Image: Carlos Jasso/REUTERS


Diabetes is proof that modern societies are incapable of adequately treating chronic disease. It affects around 430 million people worldwide, with two main metabolic disorders falling under the name diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune disease that must be treated with lifelong doses of insulin, while type 2 can develop when a person’s diet is too high in fat and sugar and they do not engage in enough physical activity. 

Dokumentation "Diabetes - Eine lukrative Volkskrankheit"
Image: Andana


With turnover of $46 billion, diabetes is a massive and extremely lucrative market.
Constantly promised miracle cures have not led to satisfactory treatment, with patients either taking too many drugs or no longer being able to afford them. It’s a desperate situation, and the only ones benefiting seem to be pharmaceutical companies. 

Afrika Diabetes Symbolbild
Image: Imago Images

A medical focus on blood glucose levels has led to an overreliance on medication, sometimes without due concern for dangerous side effects. Patients become trapped in a cycle of treatment, which in many cases still does not halt the disease’s progression. This can lead to amputations, blindness and heart attacks.

Ernährung Diät ausgewogene Ernährung
Image: Colourbox


And yet there are alternatives that could flatten the curve of the type 2 diabetes epidemic, while reducing health care spending. Improved diet can be a preventative measure, and a strict adherence to diet can also bring about remission in the case of Type 2 diabetes.

But these solutions require effort, as well as a complete rethinking of chronic disease management. Filmed on three continents, this documentary features industry whistleblowers, patients, researchers and medical professionals. It also confronts pharmaceutical companies about their responsibility for the situation.

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