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Increase in medicine demand for diabetics: Akbar

August 29, 2018 4:33 am

With the increasing number of diabetic cases in Fiji, the need to purchase medications for those suffering from this lifestyle disease is becoming a concern for the health ministry.

Minister responsible, Rosy Akbar claims that in the last three years, a ten percent increase in the demand for diabetes tablets and injections has been noted.

She says demand for insulin injections has increased from thirty thousand in 2015 to fifty thousand injections this year.

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” An example of a common diabetic medicine is Glipizide tablets 5mg. The procurement details show that this has increased from seven point eight million tablets in 2015 to 12 million in 2018.”

The Minister says with the fifteen percent tax on sugar and carbonated beverages, alcohol and tobacco, the ministry is hopeful that diabetes cases will drop.

She says the Government has also reduced import duty on certain imported fruits and vegetables, so that people can make healthier food choices.