The HumaPen SAVVIO, looks like an ordinary pen and is designed to resemble a small personal accessory rather than a medical device in order for patients to feel more comfortable carrying it around and using it/FILE
The HumaPen SAVVIO, looks like an ordinary pen and is designed to resemble a small personal accessory rather than a medical device in order for patients to feel more comfortable carrying it around and using it.
“Based on our research, we learned that people with diabetes want an insulin delivery device that makes them feel more comfortable and confident managing their insulin,” said Ann Marie Hosang-Archer, the South Africa and Sub Sahara Africa Managing Director of Eli Lilly, the company behind the device.
According to Hosang-Archer this will help the patients as insulin delivery devices will now reflect their lifestyle and personality.
Kenya is the first African country in which HumaPen SAVVIO has been introduced.
Speaking during the launch held at a Nairobi hotel, Hosang-Archer said that diabetes is on the rise in Africa generally, including Kenya.
“Currently, the prevalence of diabetes in Kenya is estimated at 3.3 percent. It is projected to rise to 4.5 percent by 2025, which is a significant increase. Eli Lilly is pleased to be providing solutions that help patients manage their diabetes effectively,” she said.
In Kenya, HumaPen SAVVIO will be available in grey, red, pink and blue. HumaPen SAVVIO will also makes dosing easy and insulin delivery discreet, which helps insulin users feel more at ease when using their medication.
“In Africa, where diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria have garnered most of the world’s attention, it is easy to remove efforts from Non Communicable Diseases like diabetes, which account for some 63 percent of all deaths worldwide. 80 percent of these deaths occur in low and middle income countries,” Hosang-Archer lamented.
