Pharmaceutical spending in Piedmont reached 74.3 million euros in 2021. By the first seven months of 2022, that figure had already risen to 49.2 million euros, a 26% increase compared to the same period the previous year. By 2025, considering all distribution channels – direct distribution, distribution on behalf of others, and contracted services – spending had surged to 134 million euros.
The Causes of the Increase
The rise in diabetes is impacting pharmaceutical expenditures. The availability of new molecules that provide cardiovascular protection, increased longevity and therefore a growing patient population, the re-identification of previously diagnosed individuals who were lost to follow-up during past lockdowns, early diagnoses thanks to new tests, are all contributing factors. These factors are having a growing impact, leading the medical community to increasingly speak of an “epidemic,” particularly when associated with obesity.
“Comparing data before and after the Covid-19 pandemic, the largest increase in people with diabetes in the Northwest was recorded in Piedmont.” “The prevalence has risen from 4.5% to 5.7% of the population affected,” explains Daniele Valle, Vice President of the Health Commission of the Regional Council. “This is a result of the aging population.”
How Many People in Piedmont Have Diabetes?
More than 300,000 people in our region have diabetes, with a prevalence of 7%. We find 70,000 cases in Turin alone, with approximately 25,000 new diagnoses each year. Nearly 95% have type 2 diabetes, while 5% have type 1, representing around 8-10,000 individuals. Of the 300,000 total, 80,000 are of working age, and another 80-100,000 have type 2 diabetes without yet knowing it.
People with Diabetes Who Don’t Know They Have It
This paradox was highlighted at a conference organized by Motore Sanità and reiterated recently. Surprisingly, many people with diabetes are unaware of their condition. Representatives from organizations dedicated to informing the public and supporting patients emphasized the importance of primary prevention during a recent Commission meeting.
The “Diabetic Guide” Proposal
The concept of a “diabetic guide” is outlined in a bill proposed by Silvio Magliano (Lista Cirio). The proposal would allow patient volunteer associations to utilize individuals with specific training to inform and educate other patients about understanding and managing the disease.
“Currently, the service is being piloted in 4 of the 10 centers in the province of Turin.” Cesare Muratori, President of Fand Torino and the Coordinating Committee of Diabetic Associations in Piedmont, Cornelia Cruceru, President of the Young Diabetics Association, and Marina Valenzano, a specialist doctor from ASL Torino 4, explained that the goal is to expand the program, as is already the case in Emilia Romagna, where volunteer patient educators are present in all hospitals and neighborhood health centers.
Shortage of Specialists and Rising Healthcare Costs
More broadly, there are two key problems. The first is a shortage of specialists and dedicated staff, which jeopardizes patient care as the number of individuals with diabetes continues to grow. Nationally, approximately 4,000 specialists would be needed to adequately manage diabetic patients, compared to the current 2,000. This shortage underscores the need for increased investment in healthcare personnel.
The second challenge is cost. The fact that some newer, more effective, and more expensive drugs can now be prescribed by family doctors also contributes to rising expenses. Diabetologists and cardiologists retain exclusive prescribing rights only for the most recently approved products, and remain the only professionals qualified to combine different medications. Prevention and appropriate prescribing are two strategies that can curb this trend, but are unlikely to reverse it.
