Pfizer

Well, it is official. The inhaled insulin Exubera is being pulled from the market by Pfizer. An ADA article reports that Pfizer took a $2.8 Billion hit to end its involvement with the sale of the drug. Doctoral and patient support, as well as profits, has been too dismal to warrant any kind of extended sale of what was seen as a breakthrough in diabetes management by many.

I have read stories of those who were very happy with the new inhaled system, but it seems they were too few in numbers. Although it replaces the need for multiple injections, there were just too many downsides of the drug. The delivery device was large and intrusive, the preset dose sizes were too unaccommodating, and question still remains about the long term lung affects of its use. After reading the details of a local clinical trial with the drug and its excipients, the warnings stood out as too much of a gamble to put it to use.

I do applaud researchers for coming up with a new method for insulin delivery. For those who have difficulty with injections, this new delivery method must have been a great relief. It is so rewarding when new diabetes products become available. When it comes to making diabetes management smoother and more effective, no ideas should be overlooked and I know the scientific community will continue to keep them coming.