Eli Lilly launches "Insulin Discovery Week" fete

Chennai, May 30 (UNI) As a part of its ''Insulin Discovery Week'' fete, insulin manufacturer Eli Lilly India today launched ''Peaks and Valleys Complications Check Camp'' (PVCC), a special campaign for increasing awareness and reducing the complications caused by diabetes.

The programme was launched by former Miss America and Lilly Global Brand Ambassador Ms Nicole Johnson and Dr V Balaji of Apollo Hospital in the presence of Lilly India Medical Director Vinod Mattoo.

Speaking at the launch function, Dr Vinod Mattoo said the programme was aimed at reiterating the need for checking and controlling the elevated glucose levels in order to reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.

''There are 46 million people suffering from diabetes in India at present and this number, according to International Diabetes Foundation is expected to leap frog by 73 per cent to 80 million by 2020.'' He said through this programme, apart from a blood glucose test, the treating physicians would be able to provide additional care to their patients in the form of a comprehensive check-up package that included test for nephropathy (kidney), Fundoscopy (eye problems) and foot examination with a biothesiometer to check for peripheral neiropathy.

About 50,000 patients, spread over 50 cities would be covered under the programme in a period of three years.

''India presents a huge challenge in coping with the burden of severe complications associated with diabetes because of sheer numbers and lack of awareness,'' he said.

On the commemoration of 85 years of world's first commercial insulin manufacturer Lilly, Mr Mattoo said was the time that measures should be stepped up to mitigate the situation and PVCC was a step in that direction.

UNI