NOVO Nordisk, the world's leading insulin producer, has recently launched three locally-produced insulin products not only to consolidate its geographical footprint but also to transfer technology and know-how to Bangladesh, a top official said.
"It is a requisite for us to pass on our knowledge to the local company we team up with," Maziar Mike Doustdar, Novo Nordisk's vice-president for the Oceania and Southeast Asia region, told The Daily Star in an interview.
“We operate around the 'triple bottom line' so we do not only run after financial goals. We spend a lot of our time, effort and money in giving back to the societies we operate in."
Doustdar, who was in the capital last week for the company's 50th anniversary in Bangladesh, said the country ranks eighth in the world in terms of diabetic patients, owing to its 8.5 million-odd sufferers.
"Of them, only 350,000 take insulin, substantially less than the number that should be,” said the 42 year-old Austrian national.
"Unless they take insulin they will lead a life with lots of complications. We have to make sure that they take the right treatment,” he said, adding that Novo Nordisk has a 75 percent share in the local insulin market.
It is with the view to reach out to the untreated diabetic population that Novo Nordisk has teamed up Eskayef Bangladesh Ltd, one of the fastest growing pharmaceuticals companies in the country, to produce high-quality insulin -- at an affordable price.
The products -- Mixtard 30, Insulatard and Actrapid — will be produced locally by Eskayef.
"We want to ensure the products are not only within the reach of the rich -- but are affordable for the masses as well."
Doustdar said the Bangladeshi market is very important for the company.
"The country has treated us well, so we have felt obligated to stay and serve the society," he said.
In Bangladesh, the company is now helping 1,500 children with diabetes — who, otherwise, would have not been able to afford treatment for the disease -- obtain free treatment and insulin.
Their number would go up in the coming days, said the father of two.
He also cited Novo Nordisk's collaboration with Diabetic Association of Bangladesh (DAB) to raise awareness of the disease, as part of its social responsibility programme.
The close partnership, according to Doustdar, is the reason why Bangladesh is doing very well in its fight against the disease despite being a least-developed country.
"Plus, they (DAB] have been the major reason why we are successful here."
Doustdar said diabetes is a silent disease, which many are unaware of despite suffering from it.
Globally, about 377 million people are diabetic, but about half of them do not know they are affected with the disease.
"So, we do a lot of awareness campaign in Bangladesh. With the help of DAB, we conduct training for physicians so that they can better diagnose
the disease."
He said the change of lifestyle and food habit due to "prosperity and economic growth is, unfortunately, the leading cause for the rise in diabetic population” in Bangladesh, and also the world over.
The country's diabetic population is expected to double by 2030, according to DAB.
"Something has to change. The DAB, the government and other key stakeholders have to work together to change the path for diabetes."
Novo Nordisk, which controls over 50 percent of the global insulin market, feels they are "responsible for changing the path of diabetes for the best", said Doustdar, who joined the company 20 years ago.
"We aim to do that via a combination of a lot of research and training, awareness campaigns and by providing the best quality medicine.”
The company recently announced a unique partnership to form Team Novo Nordisk, a global sports team with more than 100 cyclists, triathletes and runners who all have diabetes, spearheaded by the world's first all-diabetes pro-cycling team.
The Team Novo Nordisk will use life experiences and competitiveness to motivate people affected by diabetes.
“This partnership provides a tremendous opportunity to raise awareness, and educate, empower and inspire people with diabetes," said Doustdar.
Throughout 2013, these athletes will compete in more than 500 sporting competitions around the world.
"We want to give the message to the world that if you are diabetic you could have a very, very normal life. You could win an Olympic medal. The world is not coming to an end for you.”
He added: “But, you have to know that you are diabetic and you have to be treated and treated well."
Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is the largest Danish company in terms of market value and has now had over 40 consecutive quarters of double-digit growth.
fazlur.rahman@thedailystar.net