Diabetes

FDA’s review of the hypertension drug olmesartan found no clear evidence of increased heart risks for diabetes patients, but the agency will require additional information be provided on the drug’s labels.

The Boerhringer Ingleheim-Eli Lilly Diabetes Alliance presented more than 40 posters, abstracts, and oral presentations June 13-17 at the 74th American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions in San Francisco.

Analysts expect to see key developments in categories that include cancer, heart failure, obesity and diabetes, and hepatitis C. They also look toward some greatly needed antibiotics to deploy in the war against superbugs.

Study of 166,715 people showed that adults with diabetes had more comorbidities and got more flu shots than did nondiabetics.

Diabetes patients who received heart medications via mail-order were less likely to visit emergency rooms than those who received their prescriptions in person, according to a study in the American Journal of Managed Care.

Doug Long, VP, Industry Relations, IMS Health, discusses the report: "Avoidable Costs in U.S. Healthcare: The $200 Billion Opportunity from Using Medicines More Responsibly."

Insulin pumps control blood sugar in children with diabetes better than insulin injections, according to a new study.

Telmisartan and valsartan, used to reduce blood pressure in people with diabetes, are associated with a lower risk of hospitalization for heart attack, stroke, or heart failure, according to a study published on the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Express Scripts report forecasts sharp increase in spending on specialty drugs.

Collaboration produced better outcomes without use of additional meds

Medicaid coverage was linked to “substantially reduced” depression and the increased diagnosis of diabetes and the use of diabetes medication among low-income adults. At the same time, Medicaid coverage had no detectable effect on the prevalence of diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure, according to the study published in the May 2 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.

Alogliptin approved as monotherapy and in two combinations

Diabetes drug canagliflozin (Invokana, Janssen Pharmaceuticals) is the first drug approved by the FDA in a new class known as sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors.

The cost of managing diabetes patients is extremely high, and many patients still experience poor glycemic control and renal complications, according to results of a study published online Dec. 13, 2012 in the journal Diabetes Care.