Press Release: Checking Out World Diabetes Day 2004

Checking Out World Diabetes Day 2004LONDON, November 12 /PRNewswire/ -- This Sunday 14th November is World Diabetes Day which this year focuses on the link between obesity and diabetes, a subject that is close to heart for many of us, especially with the nation becoming larger than ever.

But what can we in the UK do if we're concerned about diabetes and want to get checked out sooner rather than later?

Lloydspharmacy, the leading community pharmacy chain is working with Diabetes UK to help promote diabetes awareness across the country and is offering free diabetes testing in the majority of its pharmacies. Since the diabetes service was launched over half a million people have been tested at Lloydspharmacy, with 25,000 of those being referred to their GP for further testing.

The services provided in pharmacy allow anyone over the age of 16 to check their blood sugar level and blood pressure, at their convenience - with no appointment necessary.

Nick Mortimer, Deputy Superintendent Pharmacist at Lloydspharmacy says: "Lloydspharmacy is committed to providing services to the local community that help to improve the health and well-being of our customers. Pharmacists can play a key role in the detection and on-going management of diabetes. If anyone is concerned that they have diabetes or recognise the symptoms they can visit one of our participating Lloydspharmacys we have nationwide for a free test."

Some useful facts and figures follow:

DIABETES

1. According to IDF, there are 194 million people with diabetes worldwide. This figure is projected to rise to 330 million by 2025, largely due to population growth, ageing, urbanisation and a sedentary lifestyle.

2. At least 50% of all people with diabetes are unaware of their condition. In some countries this figure may rise to 80%. In the UK there are an estimated 1 million who are unaware of their condition.

3. Diabetes is the fourth main cause of death in most developed countries. Recent figures from the World Health Organisation indicate that 3.2 million deaths worldwide are attributable to diabetes every year, that's 6 deaths every minute.

4. By 2025, the number of people with diabetes is expected to more than double in Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East, and South-East Asia.

5. People with diabetes are three times more likely to require hospitalisation than those without the condition.

6. Currently, 5 to 10% of the world's healthcare budget is spent on diabetes. This figure could reach 40% by 2025 in some countries if current predictions of diabetes prevalence are fulfilled.

7. Diabetes is the leading cause of death due to heart attack and stroke, and the leading cause of blindness and kidney failure in developed countries.

8. People with diabetes are 15 to 40 times more likely to require a lower-limb amputation compared with the general population.

Sources:

1. Diabetes Atlas 2nd Edition, International Diabetes Federation 2004

Note to Editors:

Lloydspharmacy is the largest community chain in the UK, with 1368 pharmacies located nationwide. Lloydspharmacy is part of the Admenta UK plc group, which is owned by Celesio AG.

For more information visit www.lloydspharmacy.com