Type 2 Diabetes: New poll of more than 700 Latin American physicians provides insights into complexity and challenges

Ingelheim, Germany and Indianapolis, US, 13 March 2014, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company today announced results from an online poll of more than 700 physicians treating people with Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) from across six Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela.

T2D is a growing concern for people living in Latin American countries; the International Diabetes Federation estimates today’s T2D population in Latin America will grow by 60 percent by 2035.²

The poll investigated physicians' perceptions of the challenges and issues faced when treating people with T2D. It showed 73 percent of physicians think the complexity of managing the condition is currently underestimated.¹

When asked about the key challenges faced when treating T2D, 39 percent of respondents indicated risk factors, such as obesity, smoking and hypertension, are the most important challenges, while 20 percent responded the risk of medication side effects (for example low blood sugar and weight gain) is the most important challenge faced.¹

Acknowledging that people with T2D are at increased cardiovascular risk,3 93 percent of physicians surveyed indicated the risks of stroke and heart disease influence their treatment decisions.¹

The poll also highlighted physicians' priorities on treatment prescribing decisions, which require careful consideration. When asked about what influences medication choices in addition to the management of blood glucose levels, 43 percent of respondents said 'number of doses per day' was the most important consideration.¹ 'No need for dose titration for different patient profiles' was the most influential factor for 29 percent of physicians, while a further 28 percent said ‘no impact on weight' is the most important consideration.¹

To help overcome the complexities of managing T2D, 79 percent of respondents felt both physicians and patients could benefit from more educational material.1 It has been shown that high quality, structured and easy to understand patient education can help people better manage their condition and improve health outcomes and quality of life.⁴

The results of the poll mirrors those from two previous polls conducted by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company in 2013 of 1,000 physicians from six European countries and  more than 800 physicians from four Asian countries, showing that treatment considerations are similar across the globe.^5,6

Methodology
Over a one-month period, an online tool consisting of five short multiple choice questions was used to gauge opinions from more than 700 physicians from Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela. Results were then collaborated from the different markets to draw overall conclusions.

About Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company
In January 2011, Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company entered into an alliance in diabetes that centers on compounds representing several of the largest diabetes treatment classes. The alliance leverages the strengths of two of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. By joining forces, the companies demonstrate commitment in the care of patients with diabetes and stand together to focus on patient needs. Find more information about the alliance at www.boehringer-ingelheim.com or http://www.lilly.com/Pages/Home.aspx

About Boehringer Ingelheim
The Boehringer Ingelheim group is one of the world's 20 leading pharmaceutical companies. Headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany, it operates globally with 140 affiliates and more than 46,000 employees. Since it was founded in 1885, the family-owned company has been committed to researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing novel medications of high therapeutic value for human and veterinary medicine.

Social responsibility is a central element of Boehringer Ingelheim's culture. Involvement in social projects, caring for employees and their families, and providing equal opportunities for all employees form the foundation of the global operations. Mutual cooperation and respect, as well as environmental protection and sustainability are intrinsic factors in all of Boehringer Ingelheim’s endeavours.

In 2012, Boehringer Ingelheim achieved net sales of about €14.7 billion. R&D expenditure in the business area Prescription Medicines corresponds to 22.5% of its net sales.
For more information please visit www.boehringer-ingelheim.com

About Eli Lilly and Company
Lilly is a global healthcare leader that unites caring with discovery to make life better for people around the world. We were founded more than a century ago by a man committed to creating high-quality medicines that meet real needs, and today we remain true to that mission in all our work. Across the globe, Lilly employees work to discover and bring life-changing medicines to those who need them, improve the understanding and management of disease, and give back to communities through philanthropy and volunteerism. To learn more about Lilly, please visit us at  http://www.lilly.com/Pages/Home.aspxand http://newsroom.lilly.com/social-channels

About Lilly Diabetes
Lilly has been a global leader in diabetes care since 1923, when we introduced the world's first commercial insulin. Today we are building upon this heritage by working to meet the diverse needs of people with diabetes and those who care for them. Through research and collaboration, a broad and growing product portfolio and a continued determination to provide real solutions—from medicines to support programs and more—we strive to make life better for all those affected by diabetes around the world. For more information, visit http://www.lillydiabetes.com/