Content about Diabetes

February 28, 2012
Statins could increase blood sugar, cause cognitive problems, FDA says

Drugs widely used to treat cholesterol may cause increases in blood sugar and other symptoms, the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Drugs widely used to treat cholesterol may cause increases in blood sugar and other symptoms, the Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday.

February 23, 2012
Allscripts, MyCareTeam create integrated diabetes management system

Allscripts and MyCareTeam have teamed up to launch an integrated diabetes management system, the companies announced at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society's annual conference and exhibition.

LAS VEGAS — Allscripts and MyCareTeam have teamed up to launch an integrated diabetes management system, the companies announced at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society's annual conference and exhibition.

February 23, 2012
FDA approves Korlym for Cushing's syndrome

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for a rare disorder that previously had no approved medical therapies, the agency said.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug for a rare disorder that previously had no approved medical therapies, the agency said.

The FDA announced the approval of Menlo Park, Calif.-based Corcept Therapeutics' Korlym (mifepristone) for endogenous Cushing's syndrome, a disorder that results from overproduction of cortisol, a steroid hormone that increases blood-sugar levels.

February 23, 2012
Joslin Diabetes Center, American Well to bring telehealth services to patients nationwide

Joslin Diabetes Center and American Well will collaborate on a telehealth initiative that seeks to improve and expand diabetes patients' access to high-quality care.

BOSTON — Joslin Diabetes Center and American Well will collaborate on a telehealth initiative that seeks to improve and expand diabetes patients' access to high-quality care.

The telehealth services will be powered by American Well's Online Care technology and will "[apply] a transformative healthcare innovation in support of our mission of improving the lives of people struggling with this disease," Joslin Diabetes Center president and CEO John Brooks said.

February 23, 2012
Study: Physicians do not consistently follow ADA-recommended prescribing guidelines for newly diagnosed diabetics

Physicians in 35% of cases involving more than 250,000 newly diagnosed diabetes patients did not follow the American Diabetes Association/European Association for the Study of Diabetes consensus guidelines for recommended treatment, according to a new CVS Caremark study.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — Physicians in 35% of cases involving more than 250,000 newly diagnosed diabetes patients did not follow the American Diabetes Association/European Association for the Study of Diabetes consensus guidelines for recommended treatment, according to a new CVS Caremark study.

February 22, 2012
Study: Insulin production found among those with long-term Type 1 diabetes

It seems insulin production and beta cell functioning may persist despite the onset of Type 1 diabetes, according to research conducted at the Massachusetts General Hospital and published in the March issue of Diabetes Care.

BOSTON — It seems insulin production and beta cell functioning may persist despite the onset of Type 1 diabetes, according to research conducted at the Massachusetts General Hospital and published in the March issue of Diabetes Care.

February 17, 2012
Foulkes discusses CVS Caremark's integrated business at Wharton Health Care Conference

CVS Caremark's chief healthcare strategy officer on Friday outlined how the company's integrated offerings — retail pharmacy, pharmacy benefit management and retail clinics — are helping patients achieve better health by working to increase medication adherence and targeting behaviors to improve treatment for chronic diseases during a panel discussion at the Wharton Health Care Business Conference.

PHILADELPHIA — CVS Caremark's chief healthcare strategy officer on Friday outlined how the company's integrated offerings — retail pharmacy, pharmacy benefit management and retail clinics — are helping patients achieve better health by working to increase medication adherence and targeting behaviors to improve treatment for chronic diseases during a panel discussion at the Wharton Health Care Business Conference.

February 16, 2012
Insulet, LifeScan ink deal

Insulet and LifeScan have entered a partnership through which the latter's OneTouch blood-glucose monitoring technology will be integrated into the former's OmniPod Personal Diabetes Manager.

BEDFORD, Mass. — Insulet and LifeScan have entered a partnership through which the latter's OneTouch blood-glucose monitoring technology will be integrated into the former's OmniPod Personal Diabetes Manager.

February 16, 2012
National Diabetes Prevention Program gets $10 million in funding from HHS

The Department of Health and Human Services is providing $10 million in fiscal year 2012 funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Diabetes Prevention Program.

WASHINGTON — The Department of Health and Human Services is providing $10 million in fiscal year 2012 funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Diabetes Prevention Program.

The NDPP is an initiative, authorized in 2010, which provides local communities with lifestyle change programs for preventing Type 2 diabetes. HHS' decision was praised by several groups, including the American Diabetes Association and the Diabetes Advocacy Alliance.

February 16, 2012
Study identifies Type 2 diabetes genetic variants linked to ethnicity

A new study has found several gene variants associated with Type 2 diabetes across different ethnic groups.

PHILADELPHIA — A new study has found several gene variants associated with Type 2 diabetes across different ethnic groups.

February 16, 2012
Study: Blood from periodontal disease can be used to screen for diabetes

Oral blood samples drawn from periodontal inflammation can be used to measure HbA1C levels, a factor that indicates a patient's diabetes status, according to a New York University study.

NEW YORK — Oral blood samples drawn from periodontal inflammation can be used to measure HbA1C levels, a factor that indicates a patient's diabetes status, according to a New York University study.

February 16, 2012
Walgreens partners on adherence pilot with Greystone Healthcare Management

Walgreens and Greystone Healthcare Management on Thursday launched a collaborative therapy management pilot program at the Lady Lake Specialty Center in Lady Lake, Fla., aimed at enhancing medication adherence and reducing readmission rates for patients in post-acute care settings.

LADY LAKE, Fla. — Walgreens and Greystone Healthcare Management on Thursday launched a collaborative therapy management pilot program at the Lady Lake Specialty Center in Lady Lake, Fla., aimed at enhancing medication adherence and reducing readmission rates for patients in post-acute care settings.

February 14, 2012
MyTelcare Diabetes Pal app now available

A provider of mobile health solutions has introduced a free application that synchronizes with a wireless blood-glucose meter.

BETHESDA, Md. — A provider of mobile health solutions has introduced a free application that synchronizes with a wireless blood-glucose meter.

The MyTelcare Diabetes Pal, now available via the Apple App Store, allows patients and caregivers to use their iPhone, iPod Touch and/or iPad to visualize every glucose reading sent by the Telcare BGM (blood-glucose meter) while tracking medication, nutrition, activities and notes. What's more, the app also enables patients who don’t have the Telcare BGM to manually enter their blood-glucose data and track it over time.

February 14, 2012
Study: Genetic predisposition to dyslipidemia associated with Type 2 diabetes risk

People that are genetically predisposed to developing a condition that causes high blood cholesterol levels may be at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.

ATLANTA — People that are genetically predisposed to developing a condition that causes high blood cholesterol levels may be at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a new study.

February 13, 2012
Bydureon officially hits market

Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Alkermes announced that their Type 2 diabetes treatment now is available by prescription in U.S. pharmacies.

SAN DIEGO — Amylin Pharmaceuticals and Alkermes announced that their Type 2 diabetes treatment now is available by prescription in U.S. pharmacies.

Bydureon (exenatide extended-release for injectable suspension) received approval from the Food and Drug Administration on Jan. 27 as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with Type 2 diabetes.

February 9, 2012
Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance extended to Safeway stores in select markets

Another retailer has joined the UnitedHealth Group's Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance, an initiative designed to help address the growing epidemic of prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

MINNETONKA, Minn. — Another retailer has joined the UnitedHealth Group's Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance, an initiative designed to help address the growing epidemic of prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes.

February 8, 2012
CVS' Project Health to deliver more than $21M worth of preventive health screenings

CVS/pharmacy announced on Wednesday the launch of Project Health (Proyecto Salud in Spanish), a wellness program delivering more than $21 million worth of free health screenings to multicultural communities.

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy announced on Wednesday the launch of Project Health (Proyecto Salud in Spanish), a wellness program delivering more than $21 million worth of free health screenings to multicultural communities.

February 8, 2012
Drug costs decline but remain high for many families, study finds

While the financial burden that families face due to prescription drugs has declined, costs nevertheless remain a challenge for many of them, according to a new study by nonprofit research organization Rand Corp.

NEW YORK — While the financial burden that families face due to prescription drugs has declined, costs nevertheless remain a challenge for many of them, according to a new study by nonprofit research organization Rand Corp.

February 7, 2012
Reps. seek sponsors for MTM bill

Two members of Congress are looking for co-sponsors for a bill that would strengthen the medication therapy management benefit in the Medicare prescription drug program.

NEW YORK — Two members of Congress are looking for co-sponsors for a bill that would strengthen the medication therapy management benefit in the Medicare prescription drug program.

Last year, Rep. Mike Ross, D-Ala.; and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., introduced H.R. 891, the Medication Therapy Management Benefits Act, which would allow elderly people with at least one chronic condition access to Medicare Part D coverage for MTM. Currently, only those with multiple conditions are eligible.

February 6, 2012
Study: Pregnant women with diabetes at higher risk of delivering baby with birth defect

Pregnant women with diabetes are almost four times more likely to have a baby with a birth defect than women without the condition, and the likelihood is linked to the mother's glucose level, according to a new study released by Newcastle University Monday.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, England — Pregnant women with diabetes are almost four times more likely to have a baby with a birth defect than women without the condition, and the likelihood is linked to the mother's glucose level, according to a new study released by Newcastle University Monday.

The study, led by researchers at Newcastle University and the Regional Maternity Survey Office and funded by Diabetes UK, suggests that as many as 1-in-13 deliveries to women with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes involves a major congenital anomaly, also known as a birth defect.

February 3, 2012
American Diabetes Association appoints chief scientific and medical officer

The American Diabetes Association has appointed Robert Ratner to serve as chief scientific and medical officer of the organization, effective May 7.

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American Diabetes Association has appointed Robert Ratner to serve as chief scientific and medical officer of the organization, effective May 7.

February 3, 2012
New diabetes drug launches show primary care market still strong

For all the fears about the patent cliff, at least one disease state seems to be on the up-and-up in terms of new drug development and new products.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — For all the fears about the patent cliff, at least one disease state seems to be on the up-and-up in terms of new drug development and new products.

(THE NEWS: FDA approves Bydureon. For the full story, click here.)

February 3, 2012
Survey: Endocrinologists would prescribe Bydureon for 20% of patients

Endocrinologists would prescribe a newly approved weekly treatment for Type 2 diabetes to one-fifth of their patients, a new survey showed.

BURLINGTON, Mass. — Endocrinologists would prescribe a newly approved weekly treatment for Type 2 diabetes to one-fifth of their patients, a new survey showed.

February 2, 2012
FDA approves Merck diabetes drug

The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Merck for Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said Thursday.

WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a drug made by Merck for Type 2 diabetes, the drug maker said Thursday.

Merck announced the approval of Janumet XR (sitagliptin and metformin hydrochloride) extended-release tablets as a once-daily treatment for the disease.

February 1, 2012
Lilly Diabetes donates diabetes camp scholarships

Through a collaboration with the American Diabetes Association, the diabetes division of drug maker Eli Lilly has committed to send 89 children to diabetes camp this summer.

INDIANAPOLIS and ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Through a collaboration with the American Diabetes Association, the diabetes division of drug maker Eli Lilly has committed to send 89 children to diabetes camp this summer.

Lilly Diabetes said it donated the camp scholarships — a fund totaling $89,000 — to the American Diabetes Association's 2012 camp scholarship fund. More than 400 diabetes camping programs exist worldwide serving approximately 30,000 youth with diabetes and their families, Lilly Diabetes said.