
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.


Diabetic Recipes










Diabetes and Emergency Surgery
I recently had a lsip and fall and shattered my ankle. I had never been previously hospitalized so the whole experience was traumatic! In the emergency room my blood sugar bottomed out and I needed to have sugar ASAP. The paramedics found a can of coke, so that was averted. I really wanted to tell you how awesome my pump and continuous glucose monitoring system is. I have 2 surgeries to reconstruct my leg. Both my surgeons understood that I would not be without my pump. I was able to show the anesthesiologist how the pump and CGM worked together and he was able to track my blood sugar levels during the surgery. I spent 10 days in the hospital and the nursing staff on the ortho floors were amazed that my sugar never went out of control. The hospital allowed me to continue my diabetes care without interference.
Please be sure if you hae to have a surgery, that you fully explain that you want to be in control of your diabetes and watch the excitement as the staff recognizes just how good you are!
Best,\
Peg