Challenges in Patient Access to Type 2 Diabetes Care in India and Digital Solutions Deployed by Pharmaceutical Companies

Abstract

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) presents a significant global health challenge, with India facing a particularly daunting task due to its large diabetic population. India is known as the "Diabetes Capital of the World," harboring the largest number of diabetes patients worldwide—a condition exacerbated by rapid urbanization and lifestyle transitions. Diabetes is not just a single disease but a root cause of complications such as cardiovascular diseases. Notably, people with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease and stroke. High blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Other complications include diabetic neuropathy, nephropathy, diabetic retinopathy, ulcers, and infections.