Are Insulin Options Dwindling?
Back in July, we reported on Eli Lilly's announcement that they would be discontinuing production of Iletin II, the last remaining animal-based insulin on the U.S. market, in addition to its human lente and ultralente insulins - leaving some patients faced with tough treatment decisions.
Overseas, UK residents who are dependant on insulin are facing similar hard choices. Novo Nordisk has now discontinued several genetically modified (or GM) human insulins, including the pen form of its Actrapid GM product. The move follows a 2004 Eli Lilly UK withdrawal of several human GM insulins. As of October, when the Novo withdrawal is complete, many Brits will be forced to switch to insulin analogs.
The Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust has been a vocal opponent of the narrowing of insulin options based on what the IDDT calls a "commercial decision," and what they consider insufficient study of the potential adverse effects of insulin analogs. Diabetes UK Health Care and Policy Director Simon O'Neill also voiced concern at the Novo withdrawal, stating that "this reduces patient choice and could cause some people problems with managing their diabetes. Changing insulin to a newer version is not like trading in a car"
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Another Reason to Kick Butt
Wake Forest researchers have announced compelling new evidence that smoking may increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study (IRAS) found that twenty-five percent of study participants who smoked and did not have diabetes when the study began had developed diabetes by the five-year follow-up. Both smoking and diabetes are strongly associated with heart disease, yet another reason to kick the habit.
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Tune In Tonight!
The brand new fall season of dLifeTV is just moments away. Tonight's episode features pregnancy and diabetes expert Dr. Lois Jovanovich, spectacular smoothies from The Diabetic Chef Chris Smith, and a big announcement from dLifeTV co-host Nicole Johnson Baker. Drop by dLife.com after the show for dLifeTV Backstage podcasts and other special 'web-extra' features. dLifeTV airs Sunday nights on CNBC at 7:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM CT, 4:00 PM PT.
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Take a Loved One for a Checkup
Today is Take a Loved One for a Checkup Day, sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). If someone you care for is at risk for diabetes, take them in to be tested today.
Read more on the symptoms of diabetes.
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dLife's Urban Angel
dLifeTV's Mother Love recently received the 2005 Urban Angel Award, awarded to those who "highlight excellence in community service and philanthropic leadership" by Urban Leadership International. Pictured is ULI Founder and President Kim Anthony and our very own Mother Love. Kudos ML!
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PROactive: Cutting Cardio Risk
Results from the landmark PROactive study were announced today at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD). Researchers found that the type 2 diabetes drug Actos (pioglitazone) "significantly reduces the combined risk of death, stroke, or heart attack by 16% in high-risk patients with type 2 diabetes who were already receiving optimised standard of care." PROactive is the first study to demonstrate that a glucose-lowering drug has a significant impact on lowering cardiovascular risk in type 2 patients.
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dLife Relief - BET Telethon
dLifeTV co-host Mother Love will be appearing live on BET tonight for the S.O.S. (Saving OurSelves) BET Relief telethon to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. The telethon begins at 7:30 PM ET/PT.
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dLife Relief - How You Helped
A few words from dLife VP Tom Karlya, the tireless force behind dLife Relief who has been working 24/7 to get funds and supplies down to Louisiana and Mississippi:
I have asked our Managing Editor, Paula Ford-Martin, if I could take up a little space in the blog today just to speak to you all on the events surrounding the dLife Relief efforts to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. My name is Tom Karlya and I am A VP and an Executive Producer here at dLife. But perhaps my most important title is dad. Dad to Kaitlyn who was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 2 in 1992.
When these efforts first started to become clear to us, we knew something needed to be done. What if this happened on Long Island, who would be there to help Kaitlyn and the so many more who have diabetes. People with diabetes were in dire need of supplies and we asked you to respond and respond you did. If I start naming names I will forget someone and the list is truly so long, and the efforts truly too tireless to forget anyone. If you did something to help, you made a difference.
We partnered with our friends at the Children With Diabetes Foundation and their efforts have been extraordinary. Foundations and associations (such as the ADA) contacted us from national offices and local chapters just to make sure we were on the same page. The Insulin For Life folks and their worldwide network have been phenomenal. People at Abbott, Novo Nordisk, CanAm, Medtronic Minimed, Animas, Eli Lilly, DHL (who has not asked for a cent thus far with the shipments from our office), and others were there to help. We do so appreciate their efforts.
Above all you have been there. The people who sent supplies, those who came to our office with boxes and boxes of supplies and simply said, “Here, someone is in need, take these.” Over 200 crates from individuals left our office and went right to where they are needed. And tens of thousands of dollars has been raised all in the name of the dLife Relief efforts. From California to New York and every state in between and abroad in Australia, England, Germany, and beyond - all have said, “We are here to help.”
I spoke with Dr. Steven Smith this morning who is with the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. How Dr. Smith and I came together is a blur to me now as it seems we have know each other for years. But when no one knew where to go to get diabetes supplies to those in need, Dr. Smith and I were in touch and out into the field he went.
So you know what has transpired; your work supplied 47 shelters where people were waiting in hope someone would bring supplies. We were able to get supplies to even the most remote areas in places like Washington Parish on the Shores. We believe we got to 98-99% of the shelters in Louisiana with help. Mississippi was not forgotten either and help was provided to them as well but hardest hit was Louisiana which received concentrated efforts.
Supplies will continually be shipped to complete “hot shots,” which are individual runs to the various shelters where an immediacy for help arises. Right now we implementing Phase II - creating care packages of diabetes supplies to give to those who will be leaving the shelters shortly (we pray). The bulk of supplies will shortly be shifted over to the central distribution sight set up by the state so that their comprehensive plan will be fully implemented. You all truly have made a difference.
There is one more group of people who, although you may not have seen, were front and center in this whole initiative thus far (and we are by no means done yet) - and they are the people of dLife. Those who work to bring you the show each week stayed long hours packing boxes and shipping supplies. One of our dLifeTV co-hosts, Nicole Johnson Baker, even went to Louisiana with a congressional delegation to do what she does so well - clear the way and get it done. In addition, co-host Mother Love will be on the BET telethon this weekend helping to raise relief funds. And of course there is Howard Steinberg, the creator of dLife who when it all started just said, “Whatever it takes, get it done.”
Together, we will continue until we are done. September 26th, 1992 was one of the worse days of my life—the day Kaitlyn was diagnosed. Whoever knew it would also allow me the opportunity to be part of a community that has not only changed my life, but change the world. It is your dLife. I am humbled by all of your efforts. Thank you.
Tom Karlya
Vice President, Development
dLife
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dLife Relief - From the Field
dLifeTV co-host Nicole Johnson Baker has been on the scene in Louisiana, helping to coordinate relief efforts for victims of Hurricane Katrina who have been cut off from diabetes supplies and treatment. She reports....
"I was in New Orleans/Baton Rouge all day Friday with Rep. Curt Weldon, Rep. Rodney Alexander, military personnel, and communications experts...After 12 hours of meetings Friday with the State Police, the Secretary of Health, the Board of Pharmacy, the Bureau of EMS, the Department of Public Health, and so many others....at 1:00 on Saturday we confirmed a location for diabetes supplies to be housed and established a network to provide medical care to people with diabetes in shelters throughout Louisiana and parts of Mississippi.
Yesterday was an amazing experience. The TV doesn't do it justice. It honestly looks like a war zone and the need is so great. While I was in Baton Rouge yesterday, a National Guard helicopter came in begging for insulin and supplies.
Thank you to all of you who have helped. To those of you who have not yet been part of this effort, we need you. In the course of the last 4 days, we have collected millions of dollars of insulin and testing supplies, but so much more is needed."
Nicole will be a guest at 10:00 PM ET tonight on Pittsburgh's KDKA AM 1020, talking about her experience in Louisiana and the relief efforts. For those not in the Pittsburgh area, you can listen to the interview on the KDKA website.
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dLife Relief Update
dLife Relief efforts are in full swing, but we still need your help. dLife is working to mobilize the diabetes community to get emergency diabetes care and supplies to victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Thousands of people have already donated their time, money, and services, and we offer our heartfelt thanks. Your generous donations will make a huge difference in many lives.
Here's where we stand:
Check back frequently for more dLife relief updates.
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