UAE Clinical Nutrition for Diabetes Care Market Analysis

UAE Clinical Nutrition for Diabetes Care Market Executive Summary

The UAE Clinical Nutrition for Diabetes Care Market is at around $10.75 Mn in 2023 and is projected to reach $15.93 Mn in 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.78% during the forecast period.

Clinical nutrition for diabetes care refers to specialized dietary interventions and nutritional strategies designed to manage and improve the health outcomes of people with diabetes mellitus. It involves using evidence-based nutrition treatment to help diabetic patients maintain blood sugar control, avoid complications, and enhance their overall metabolic health. The primary aim is to optimize nutrition, regulate blood sugar levels, prevent complications, and enhance overall health outcomes for those with diabetes.
The increase in the prevalence of diabetes due to aging, obesity, and unhealthy lifestyles is one of the factors contributing to the growth of the global clinical nutrition market. Obesity is a major factor leading to diabetes. Clinical nutrition including medical foods and parenteral nutrition can help relieve symptoms or slow down the progression of a chronic condition. As the number of people with diabetes continues to grow, so does the demand for these specialized food products. Patients afflicted with diabetes are at higher risk of comorbidities, as diabetes is a major cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke, and lower limb amputation, as reported by the WHO.

The leading pharmaceutical companies include Boehringer Ingelheim, Sanofi is known for its extensive portfolio of medications, including those essential for diabetes care. Baxter International, Eli Lilly, and Danone Nutricia are also significant contributors to the Clinical Nutrition for Diabetes Care landscape, with continuous research and development activities.

Market Dynamics

Market Growth Drivers

Increasing Prevalence of Diabetes: The UAE has a high prevalence of diabetes, similar to many other countries around the world. This is due in part to a growing aging population, increasing rates of obesity, and unhealthy lifestyles. According to the International Diabetes Federation, about 16.4% of the total adult population is living with diabetes. This large diabetic population drives the demand for specialized clinical nutrition products and services to manage the condition.

Government Initiatives to Improve Healthcare: The UAE government is heavily investing in enhancing the country's healthcare infrastructure and services through initiatives like the Vision 2030 strategy. This includes a focus on reducing lifestyle diseases like diabetes, which boosts the clinical nutrition market. The strategy aims to expand and improve healthcare infrastructure. This includes establishing more specialized diabetic clinics and integrating diabetes management services into existing healthcare centers.

Increasing Focus on Preventative Healthcare: There is a growing emphasis on preventive healthcare in the UAE. This includes a focus on early detection of diabetes and prediabetes, as well as interventions to prevent the onset of the disease. Clinical nutritionists play a key role in preventive healthcare by helping people develop healthy eating habits and make lifestyle changes that can reduce their risk of developing diabetes.

Market Restraints

High Cost of Specialised Products: Specialized diabetic food products and enteral formulas can be significantly more expensive than regular groceries. This can be a burden for low-income individuals and families, limiting access to optimal clinical nutrition support. The high cost of specialized nutritional items and services for diabetic care can increase healthcare expenses, posing an economic burden.

Regulatory Challenge: UAE has rigorous procedures for approving new clinical nutrition products, including specialized diabetic food items and enteral feeding formulas. This can delay the availability of innovative products that could benefit patients. All new clinical nutrition products must undergo a comprehensive registration process. This includes submitting detailed product information, clinical studies, safety data, and manufacturing quality certifications. For specialized diabetic food items, additional evidence of their efficacy in managing diabetes may be required.

Workforce Shortage: Diabetes management through clinical nutrition is relatively a new area of focus compared to traditional dietetics. With fewer qualified dietitians, patients with diabetes might struggle to find appointments or receive the level of personalized attention needed to effectively manage their condition through diet. This could create a bottleneck in service availability.

Regulatory Landscape and Reimbursement Scenario

The Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) is the primary government body responsible for regulating healthcare products and services in the UAE. It oversees the registration, import, and marketing of clinical nutrition products for diabetes care. All clinical nutrition products, including specialized diabetic food items and enteral feeding formulas, must be registered with the MoHAP before being marketed or sold in the UAE. Products must have clear and accurate labeling, representing the product's contents, nutritional value, and intended use.

UAE government has implemented various healthcare initiatives and programs to improve access to diabetes care, such as the Saada and "Thiqa" programs. These programs likely include some form of reimbursement or coverage for diabetes management. Some private insurance providers in the UAE, such as Sukoon Insurance, offer specialized "Diabetic Care" insurance plans that provide lump-sum payments for major medical events related to diabetes.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players

Here are some of the major key players in the UAE Clinical Nutrition for Diabetes Care Market:

• Abbott Nutrition
•  Eli Lilly
• Danone Nutricia
• Nestlé Health Science
• Baxter International
• Boehringer Ingelheim
• Sanofi
• Fresenius Kabi
• Johnson & Johnson
• Novo Nordisk