The NHS is spending too much money on anti-diabetes medication, but could reduce expenditure by replacing some drugs with generic pharmaceuticals, new research has suggested.

A recent study conducted by experts from Cardiff University and published in Diabetic Medicine found the health service spent £700 million on diabetes treatments in 2008, accounting for seven per cent of the prescription budget.

"Somebody has got to take a lead in managing the way we treat people with diabetes and making sure doctors adhere to the recommendations," researcher Dr Chris Currie explained. "People don't realise how big the problem is."

The report also suggested that recent lifestyle guidelines set out by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are not being implemented by doctors and patients alike.

Last month, European Generics Association president Didier Barret urged European lawmakers to back the generic drugs industry to provide "sustainable savings" for the continent's healthcare authorities.

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