Okoro Emmanuel
University of Ilorin, Nigeria
Title: PRECISION MEDICINE: A strategic tool for resource optimization in diabetes care
Biography
Biography: Okoro Emmanuel
Abstract
Precision medicine can improve care and lower cost by matching each group/ individual with what work best for each. Already even without widespread genetic testing, mortality - related to type2diabetes / hypertension is plunging in Europe /North America from effective interventions. In contrast mortality remains alarmingly high locally just as the same anti-atherosclerotic therapies dominate Nigeria market. Coincidentally, unlike in Europe/North America where over 70% of deaths in type2diabetes/hypertension usually result from atherosclerosis no more than 0.6-2% of affected Nigerians generally experience such outcomes despite frequent ( 70-90%) dyslipidaemia including elevated cholesterol in such groups. Intriguingly , an unusual cooperation between elements in academia, industry and regulators means this biologic advantage for delivering superior cardiovascular care in type2diabetes at a lower cost compared to jurisdictions where occlusive atherosclerosis is frequent is being overlooked .The result is an epidemic of overtreatment which expose the affected population to the risk of paying the highest possible cost for the worst possible care when cheaper alternatives that can save more lives through better BP reduction are widely available . Specifically, the astronomical rise in outpatient treatment cost from under N2000 in 2000 to N56,2450 monthly as at 2013 results predominantly (> 90% ) from interventions/ tests of largely unproven health benefits to local population but couched as national best practice. And Nigeria remains the largest health market of blacks globally currently estimated at 190 million and projected to become the third most populous nation by 2050 after India and China. With 30-40% of this population having hypertension /type2diabetes this is a huge marketing opportunity for effective/affordable treatments that can keep poor people alive and turn them into paying customers.