Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
ZIMBABWE has put in place modalities to start manufacturing insulin as it looks to lower the prices of the much-needed diabetes drug.
This was revealed at the Diabetes Association of Zimbabwe annual general meeting held over the weekend
High prices of insulin have always been topical the world over, with local diabetic patients calling for government intervention.
The government through the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe is now in the process of manufacturing its insulin for the convenience of patients.
This was confirmed by Research Development and Innovation Manager at the National Biotechnology Authority of Zimbabwe, Dr Makomborero Nyoni on the sidelines of the Diabetes Association of Zimbabwe annual general meeting at the weekend.
“Considering the forex that we are using to import insulin from other countries, we decided to then have our insulin in the country,” he said.
“Currently, we are at the beginning stages, but the good thing is that our people are the ones who have got the technology now to make insulin. Currently, we are working on GMP issues so that we can have good insulin for our people.”
“We are still in the process of procuring the equipment which we are having from other countries so that we can have it at an international level. We then engage other countries so that they can assist us. For us to make insulin we have got different expression systems which are yeast and bacteria there is also the plant expression system we are known for good agricultural practices we can use tobacco, sweet potatoes or tsunga to produce our insulin,” he added.
The newly elected president of the Diabetes Association of Zimbabwe, Dr John Mangwiro appealed to Zimbabweans to live a healthy lifestyle.
“Please have your sugars checked, and live a healthy lifestyle, we encourage people to eat healthy. Let’s go back to our traditional foods, we need to make sure that we eat what is required. We also want to encourage people to eat more of their meals morning and afternoon leaving the night for sleep. You also need to exercise regularly,” Dr Mangwiro noted.
The major purpose of insulin is to regulate the body’s energy supply by balancing micronutrient levels.
Insulin is critical for transporting intracellular glucose to insulin-dependent cells such as the liver, muscle, and adipose tissue
Cheaper insulin would improve the lives of many Zimbabweans who depend on insulin to survive.
