Critical issues in diabetes and endocrinology research include the prevalence of research waste and the lack of impact from transformative studies that fail to reach policymakers. Many medical studies are poorly designed or reported, which limits their clinical and public health relevance. Even high-quality research, such as systematic reviews, can be misleading when based on flawed data. Despite efforts to improve research transparency, the translation of research into policy remains limited, particularly for conditions like diabetes, which are often deprioritized by policymakers. This article highlights the need for stronger engagement between researchers and policymakers, as well as greater accessibility of research findings to ensure their influence on health policies.
Research Articles
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- Research Articles
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Read moreThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission on type 1 diabetes: From research to policy: still a long way to go
Author: The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology
Jan 1, 2024
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Read moreThe Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission on type 1 diabetes: looking back to move forward
Type 1 diabetes care has evolved significantly since the discovery of insulin in 1921, improving life expectancy, particularly in high-income countries. However, global disparities in access to insulin and care persist, especially in low- and middle-income countries, where limited resources result in poorer outcomes. Despite global initiatives like the WHO’s Global Diabetes Compact, a comprehensive, person-centered approach for type 1 diabetes is still lacking. This article examines these challenges and introduces a new Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology Commission aimed at developing a global plan to improve equitable care and quality of life for people with type 1 diabetes worldwide.
Authors: David Beran, Marta Koch, Sana Ajmal, Carine de Beaufort, Kaushik Ramaiya, Jessica Hanae Zafra-Tanaka, et al.
Nov 13, 2023
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Read moreAccès à l'insuline : le(s) rôle(s) des gouvernements
Access to insulin is complex requiring global and national factors to be considered. The World Health Organization (WHO) proposes a framework to disentangle this. This includes: research & development and innovation; manufacturing; regulatory aspects; selection, pricing and reimbursement; procurement and supply; prescribing; dispensing; and use. For each of these, governments can play an essential role in guaranteeing an adequate allocation of resources as well as ensuring that diabetes care is properly structured within health systems. Concerted action is needed to guarantee access to affordable insulin and care and to ensure that the various needs of people with diabetes are included in government programs and interventions. Governments also have a role to play in being a counterweight to the private sector, working closely to establish networks and possibilities for exchanges between different actors including the civil society.
Authors: David Beran, Stéphane Besançon
Jun 1, 2023
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Read morePénuries de médicaments : augmenter les prix pénalisera les pays les plus pauvres
This joint op-ed, spearheaded by Pauline Londeix and Jérôme Martin of OTMeds, along with Stéphane Besançon from the NGO Santé Diabète, was published in the print edition of Libération and is also available online. It argues that increasing drug prices is not a suitable solution to the structural shortages of these products and will, in fact, have harmful effects on global access to treatment. This price hike is being advocated by pharmaceutical companies and supported by many political leaders.
Authors: David Beran, Stéphane Besançon, Charlotte Brives, Sophie Crozier
May 5, 2023
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Read morePrequalification of insulin: what is missing?
In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a project to make insulin more affordable and accessible by encouraging more manufacturers to enter the market. With just a few companies controlling insulin production and driving up prices, this initiative could be a game-changer for people with diabetes. However, progress has been slower than anticipated. This article explores the challenges holding it back and highlights potential solutions that could make life-saving insulin available to millions of people worldwide.
Authors: David Beran, Marina Giachino, Christophe Perrin, Cécile Macé
Dec 1, 2022