Novo Nordisk Improves Quality of Life for People with Diabetes

Novo Nordisk continues its journey that began with insulin, a life-saving discovery, by improving the quality of life for individuals with diabetes through digital treatment methods. Thanks to new technologies Novo Nordisk provides in diabetes treatment, patients will be able to automatically record and monitor insulin doses and administration times. Diabetes is one of the most important public health issues in the world and Turkey. According to the International Diabetes Federation, approximately 1 in every 10 adults worldwide, or about 540 million people, live with diabetes. In Turkey, there are approximately 9 million people with diabetes. This figure corresponds to approximately 15 percent of the total adult population. In addition to the emotional burden that diabetes and diabetes-related complications create in patients, the annual cost of diabetes and diabetes-related complications is estimated to be approximately USD 1.2 trillion worldwide.1,2 In Turkey, glycemic control is achieved in 15 percent of Type 1 diabetes patients and only 40 percent of Type 2 diabetes patients.3 Treatment adherence and monitoring play an important role in achieving glycemic control. Understanding the link between blood sugar and the approximate 3-month average blood sugar level (HbA1c) is crucial for controlling Type 2 diabetes. Blood sugar levels fluctuate over time for various reasons. Monitoring and recording your blood sugar levels can help you better understand how your body responds to food, exercise, and medication. Novo Nordisk, a Denmark-based global healthcare company, continues its activities with stakeholders working in the healthcare field and through partnerships with the public to reduce the social and economic burden of diabetes today and in the future. Novo Nordisk, which produced insulin in 1923 and celebrated its 100th anniversary, aims to improve the quality of life of individuals with diabetes by developing intelligent and innovative treatment methods in this field with the experience and expertise it possesses in diabetes treatment. Novo Nordisk, which aims for individuals with diabetes to live a healthy and long life with the treatment options it has developed, and which aims to create awareness in society that diabetes can be properly managed with correct treatment and an active life, continues to invest in overcoming diabetes. In diabetes treatment management, treatment adherence, personalized treatment, and new technologies are very important in reducing the effects of diabetes. Through intelligent solutions developed by Novo Nordisk to facilitate monitoring and treatment adherence of diabetes patients, patients can record insulin doses and administration times in a digital environment. Dr. Ömer Buğra Bahadır, Senior Medical Director at Novo Nordisk Turkey, said that diabetes continues to increase at a rapid rate in Turkey as it does worldwide. Bahadır stated that according to current data published by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), there are approximately 9 million people with diabetes in Turkey, and it is estimated that this figure will reach 13 million by 2045. Emphasizing the importance of innovative treatments in facilitating treatment adherence for diabetes patients, he continued his remarks as follows: "The daily burden of diabetes management is very heavy for patients. People with diabetes spend on average one hour per day managing their condition and achieve normal blood sugar levels for only half of the day. Thanks to new technologies Novo Nordisk has initiated in diabetes treatment, patients will be able to automatically record insulin doses, adjust dose amounts and timing. With this technology, patient data will be stored in the memory of mobile devices and checked more regularly by their physicians. As a result, patient treatment adherence will increase and reaching treatment goals will become easier."