Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the body’s ability to regulate excessive glucose levels in the blood is lost. Across the OECD countries, diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation. Globally it is estimated that over 380 million people had diabetes in 2014 and by 2035 it is projected that close to 600 million people will have the condition. Diabetes caused close to 5 million deaths in 2014 (IDF, 2014). Many countries have established comprehensive approaches to diabetes care, but there are indications that more can be done to prevent the disease (OECD, 2014). Cholesterol-lowering drugs and medications to reduce blood pressure are recommended in most national guidelines for the care of diabetes patients (see indicator Prescribing in primary care in )