Prescriptions for medication to treat type 2 diabetes have shot up in the last four years, research shows. The number rose by almost 35% between 2011 and 2015 and experts say that, according to current trends, five million people will have the disease by 2020. Twenty-six million prescriptions were written for diabetes in 2011 and this went up to 35 million in 2015. In addition, prescriptions for more advanced forms of the condition doubled during the five-year period, indicating that exercise and diet changes are no longer sufficient to treat them.
A map detailing where prescriptions are being provided showed that Newham in London had the highest number of prescriptions for type 2 diabetes treatment during the period, with East Lindsey and South Holland, Lincolnshire, Tower Hamlets, London and Tendring, Essex coming next on the list.