IDF Europe Press Release
Friday 4 May 2012
Hungarian decree on diabetes causes concern
In Hungary, people with diabetes who fail to properly monitor their condition will be deprived
of more efficient subsidized treatments from July, under a government decree adopted in a
move to cut health spending. The measure could potentially have serious consequences for
both people living with diabetes and the country’s healthcare expenditure, says the
International Diabetes Federation European Region (IDF Europe).
The decree, published in the Hungarian Official Journal on 23 April 2012, requires people
living with diabetes to undergo every three months a specific blood test (HbA1c) that
provides an estimation of blood sugar levels.
Those who register glucose levels above the values set by the decree twice a year will be
denied access to more efficient treatments with analog insulin. In addition, they will have to
pay more for their treatment, as state subsidies will be reduced.
Children under 18 and individuals with a severe form of diabetes will not be affected by the
new regulation.
IDF Europe has been investigating the situation in Hungary to try to understand the rationale
behind the decree but so far no clear elements have emerged.
Looking at diabetes only through the prism of its increasing costs for society and blaming
people with diabetes for their lack of discipline is a risky approach. “Diabetes is a
multifactorial disease. It is not only linked to diet and lifestyle, but also to heredity, genes,
stress or even poor access to healthy food”, comments Chris J Delicata, President of IDF
Europe. He continues: “While we recognize the importance of having regular tests to monitor
diabetes, we fear this measure will have an adverse effect on people who cannot afford to
buy healthier food or who cannot regulate their blood glucose levels only through diet and
physical activity”.
Estimates show that 7.6% of the Hungarian adult population lives with Diabetes, which
amounts to more than 500,000 people. Furthermore, 8.6% of the total healthcare budget is
spent on diabetes*. However, the cost for treating diabetes-related complications,
morbidities and hospitalizations largely exceeds what is spent on the treatment of disease
itself.
By denying access to more efficient treatments to certain people living with diabetes, it
means that fewer people will be able to properly control their condition, leading to numerous
serious, costly and sometimes lethal complications. IDF Europe therefore urges the
Hungarian government to reconsider its position to avoid putting the health of thousands of
Hungarian citizens at risk.
“Governments need to realize that a person with well controlled diabetes is ultimately much
more productive and costs much less to society. In times of economic hardship, political
leaders should not opt for short-term policies that have a negative impact on the health and
wellbeing of their citizens and that will lead to soaring health costs in the long term”,
concludes Chris J Delicata.
-ENDS-
IDF Europe Press Release
Notes to editors:
* Estimates from IDF Diabetes Atlas, 5th Edition. For more information, visit
http://www.idf.org/diabetesatlas
Press contact:
Gaël Bassetto, Communication Officer, IDF Europe
166, Chaussée de la Hulpe, B-1170 Watermael Boisfort
T: +32 (0)2 639 20 91
M: +32 (0)490 39 89 99
E: gael.bassetto@idf-europe.org
About diabetes
Diabetes is a condition where the amount of glucose in blood is too high because the body
cannot use it properly. This is because the pancreas does not produce any insulin, or not
enough, to help glucose enter the body’s cells – or because the insulin that is produced
does not work properly (known as insulin resistance). Insulin is a hormone produced by the
pancreas that hat is needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy that we
need for daily life.
The most common forms of diabetes are Type I and Type II diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes develops when the insulin-producing cells in the body have been
destroyed and the body is unable to produce any insulin. It can develop at any age but
usually appears before the age of 40, and especially during childhood.
Type 2 diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin but not enough, or
when the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance). It
usually appears in people over the age of 40, though it is increasingly becoming more
common in children, adolescents and young adults.
About the International Diabetes Federation European Region - IDF Europe
IDF Europe is the European region of the International Diabetes Federation. IDF Europe
represents 65 diabetes organizations from 47 European countries across Europe. Together
with these organizations, we stand for the rights of about 53 million people with diabetes in
the region. For more information, visit www.idf-europe.org.