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Johannesburg – On World Diabetes Day, JSE-listed Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (“Aspen”), a global multinational specialty pharmaceutical company, continues to highlight the alarming impact of South Africa’s increasing type 2 diabetes burden.

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According to the Lancet (“GBD 2023”), global life expectancy has increased by about 10 years since 1990. South Africa, however, paints a very different picture with life expectancy shown to have declined by 1,2 years from 67,73 years to 66,55 years over the same period. This decrease is driven by non-communicable diseases (“NCDs”) such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension and other conditions.

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Approximately which is considered to be a concerning South African public healthcare burden. This disease has surpassed tuberculosis as the leading natural cause of death in the country.

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Stavros Nicolaou, Aspen Group Senior Executive Strategic Trade said, “It is alarming to note that premature deaths from diabetes have increased by 5% since 2000[1],�� this while premature mortality from other major NCDs is decreasing. It is evident that the high diabetes rate linked to premature death could be addressed through access to high quality, equitable care and treatment.��Aspen is making significant progress in our previously stated strategy to provide affordable treatment options to type 2 diabetes patients, through among others, a cumulative ��investment over the last five years of more than R8 billion in sterile manufacturing capacity, and key multinational pharmaceutical partnerships.”

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“The prevailing trend between obesity, diabetes, and cancer, which exacerbates metabolic-cardio-renal complex diseases, continues to impact an over-burdened healthcare system, which is not sufficiently geared to provide care and equitable access to treatment to our diverse society. This situation continues to have a dire economic, productivity, social and life expectancy impact on South Africa and across the African continent. High quality treatment options are available, but these are not within the financial means of all patients.�� Eliminating sedentary, unhealthy lifestyles which could also reduce obesity rates, could assist in reducing the diabetes burden.�� As part of our World Diabetes Day efforts, we encourage individuals to actively engage in reducing NCDs as a national healthcare disease burden by assessing their risk of diabetes and seeking appropriate, effective treatment and support through registered healthcare professionals.”

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The World Health Organisation’s (“WHO”) calls for the reduction of diabetes through equitable access to comprehensive, affordable and quality treatment and care. ��In September 2025, the WHO added to its Essential Medicines List for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in adults with cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, or obesity.�� The Compact strives to support the prevention of type 2 diabetes from obesity, unhealthy nutrition and physical inactivity. According to the WHO, approximately of the world’s population, are diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This number has quadrupled since 1980 and it is estimated to rise beyond half a billion by 2030.��

[1] https://www.who.int/initiatives/the-who-global-diabetes-compact/the-global-diabetes-compact-forum

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Johannesburg – JSE-listed Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited (“Aspen”), a global multinational specialty pharmaceutical company, earlier today launched an awareness campaign around the alarming rise and associated risks of non-communicable diseases (“NCDs”) at a joint media briefing with the Society for Endocrinology, Metabolism and Diabetes of South Africa (“SEMDSA”).
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There has been a notable global increase in NCDs, which are collectively responsible for 74% of deaths worldwide and include cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory disease, cancer and iabetes. This trend is being mirrored in South Africa where major NCDs have increased 58,7% over the past 20[1] years and it is set to continue along this trajectory. Some 71% of global deaths (41 million) are attributed to NCDs with 1.5 million being for diabetes[2], and with 80% of NCDs being classified as premature.

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Stavros Nicolaou, Aspen Group Senior Executive Strategic Trade said, “There is a strong link between obesity, diabetes, and cancer, with the former triggering what has become known as the metabolic-cardio-renal complex of diseases. If left unarrested, the economic impact of NCDs will significantly over-burden an already highly stretched healthcare system and impact lives and livelihoods. On World Diabetes Day, we strongly encourage people to learn about the risks of diabetes and assess their own risk, to understand the differences between Type 1 and Type II diabetes, and to seek appropriate support from their healthcare professional if they are concerned about their health.”

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“Aspen remains committed to contributing towards the management of NCDs, as has been demonstrated by the Group’s investment of more than R10 billion in sterile manufacturing capacity. This capability has positioned ����vlog as an emerging contributor in rapidly expanding the production of treatment options for diabetes.”

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“Aligned to this commitment we have also noted, with concern, the increasing lack of suitably qualified medical professionals to treat NCDs, and we are pleased to announce a Fellowship to SEMDSA for medical specialisation in the field of Endocrinology.”

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Dr Reyna Daya, SEMDSA President said, “Approximately 50% of South Africans with diabetes remain undiagnosed, and this NCD has reached pandemic proportions. Diabetes treatment requires multiple resources, and we are currently experiencing a shortage of healthcare professionals who can treat diabetes and its complications.�� Our country also needs to increase awareness and heighten discussions around this disease. These patients are at risk of developing both significant and severe cardiac and renal complications, both of which require access to special care units, which are sadly lacking across our provinces. There is already a significant economic impact to productivity with patients who are presenting diabetes and its complications. Irrespective of a patient’s position on the social ladder, once diagnosed, there is hope with treatment options, albeit that they remain costly and inaccessible to many.”

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Aspen’s investment in world class pharmaceutical manufacturing in South Africa has improved supply security and infectious disease prevention in Africa, thereby assisting with the of solving regional health issues through local capabilities. Additional investment has also targeted skills development, talent retention, and new technology, which has positioned Aspen to respond swiftly to breakout pandemics and has become a significant differentiator for the Group.

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For Editors:
Click to download Aspen’s World Diabetes Day press pack

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[1] : Non communicable diseases: Findings from death notifications (2008-2018), published 17 October 2023.

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