MEA Diabetes Treatment Market

Middle East and Africa Diabetes Treatment Market Analysis

The Middle East And Africa Human Insulin Market size is estimated at USD 1.68 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 2.02 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.78% during the forecast period (2025-2030).

In the Middle East and Africa, Type 1 diabetes forms approximately 10% of the diabetes conditions, and Type 2 contributes to 90%. Type 1 patients require lifelong insulin therapy while maintaining a healthy diet and regular physical exercise.

Type 2 patients need to eat healthily, remain physically active, and perform regular tests to check their blood glucose levels. They may also need to take oral medication and insulin medication to control the glucose levels in their blood. There are many complications associated with diabetes, like diabetic ketoacidosis and non-ketotic hyperosmolar coma. Serious long-term complications include heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, foot ulcers, and damage to the eyes.

The insulin market is experiencing significant growth due to the rapid increase in the diabetes population in the Middle East and Africa diabetes market. Diabetes has become a major health concern in these regions, with a rising number of individuals being diagnosed with the disease.

One of the primary factors driving the growth of the insulin market in the Middle East and Africa is the changing lifestyle and dietary habits of the population. Urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and the adoption of unhealthy diets high in sugar and processed foods have contributed to the rise in diabetes cases. As a result, there is a growing demand for insulin treatment to manage and control blood sugar levels among diabetic patients.

Additionally, the aging population in the Middle East and Africa is another significant factor contributing to the increased demand for insulin. With advancing age, the risk of developing diabetes increases, leading to a larger diabetic population that requires insulin therapy.

As the production of recombinant insulin and synthetic insulin is very complex, there are very few companies in the market that manufacture these insulin products. Thus, there is high competition between these manufacturers, and they always strive to meet the patient's needs and supply the best-quality insulin.

Middle East and Africa Diabetes Treatment Market Trends

Biosimilar Insulin Segment Holds Highest Market Share in Middle-East and Africa Human Insulin Market.

Biosimilar insulin is highly popular in the Middle East and Africa region because of its low cost as compared to branded insulins. The Middle East and African countries have substantial economic diversity. The per-capita expenditure on diabetes in the region is low, although some countries in the region have managed to modify their healthcare expenditure to include biologic and biosimilar insulin therapies.

The governments of the Middle East and African countries are recognizing the importance of driving biosimilar insulin uptake to create a competitive and sustainable biosimilar market. With no clinically significant differences in efficacy, safety, purity, or potency, several companies are developing insulin biosimilars that are very similar to the reference insulin glargine.

The total diabetes population in the Middle East and Africa has increased by more than 200% over the past few years. Approximately 8% of the diabetic population in the region has type-1 diabetes. The Middle East and Africa were two of the largest markets for these biosimilar insulin products in 2022. There is increasing adoption of insulin glargine biosimilar insulin across the Middle East and Africa, which is contributing to the overall growth of the segment.

Several governments are recognizing the importance of driving biosimilar insulin uptake to create a competitive and sustainable biosimilar market. Driven by government initiatives, several companies are developing biosimilars that are highly similar to the reference insulin glargine with no clinically meaningful differences in efficacy, safety, purity, or potency. Developments are expected to help the growth of the insulin biosimilar market during the forecast period.

Saudi Arabia Holds Highest Market Share in Middle-East and Africa Insulin Market.

Diabetes is one of the mounting health problems the country is facing. Saudi Arabia is ranked among the top three in the Middle East and African countries with the highest prevalence of diabetes. In Saudi Arabia, diabetes mellitus is a condition that is on the rise. In this context, a cross-sectional retrospective study was done to assess Saudi Arabia's non-insulin-dependent diabetic mellitus disease management costs and medicine usage patterns.

According to the WHO, the number of people with diabetes in Saudi Arabia is expected to rise by almost 300% from 890,000 in 2000 to 2,523,000 in 2030. Its prevalence was strongly correlated with energy use, sedentary behavior, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Saudi Arabia, which has the second-highest rate of DM in the Middle East, and seven million and three million people with diabetes and pre-diabetes, respectively, is vulnerable to the worldwide diabetes epidemic. Few studies, however, have looked at the levels of treatment compliance and adherence among diabetic patients living in different parts of Saudi Arabia. According to a study by Ahmed et al., 54.8% of diabetic patients disregarded follow-up schedules, medication instructions, and recommendations for healthy foods, and 45.5% of patients with diabetes skipped follow-up sessions.

Saudi Arabia is aiming to reduce the prevalence of the disease by 10% over the next decade. Several initiatives, including taxing sugary drinks, fitness initiatives, and focusing on preventative care, are being taken up by the government to stem the rising epidemic. The government's focus on combating diabetes and the higher purchasing power of the people in the country may help the market for diabetes medications, including insulin medication, during the forecast period.

Middle East and Africa Diabetes Treatment Industry Overview

The Middle East and Africa human insulin market is dominated by Novo Nordisk, Sanofi, and Eli Lilly. However, there are many local players like Biocon, Julphar, Sedico, and Exir, who hold a significant market share supplying various insulin products.

Middle East and Africa Diabetes Treatment Market Leaders

Middle East and Africa Diabetes Treatment Market News

• February 2023: South Korea-based EOFlow, a provider of wearable drug delivery solutions, received certification from the United Arab Emirate (UAE) Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP) to commercialize its wearable insulin pump 'EOPatch' and its controller 'ADM' as well as its smartphone app 'Narsha'. EOFlow said that this UAE launch marks the first entry of EOPatches in the Middle East. The UAE is EOFlow's second overseas sales region after Europe. It was expected to serve as a bridgehead for exporting wearable insulin pump solutions to Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries.
• December 2022: Eli Lilly partnered with generics maker Eva to boost insulin access in Africa. In a licensing agreement with generics drugmaker Eva Pharma of Egypt, Lilly was expected to deliver active pharmaceutical ingredients at a reduced cost for its human and analog insulin. Lilly also was expected to provide a 'pro-bono transfer' of the technology needed to formulate, fill and finish vials and cartridges.