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Most of you already know the Avandia story: after two years of controversy, Senate hearings and multiple FDA reviews nothing has really changed. Avandia is still on the market, clinicians aren’t writing for it and Glaxo will probably discontinue it. The interesting thing will be whether this means the FDA becomes more liberal or conservative in future drug approvals. Right now it seems that if you found the holy grail of diabetes drugs today it would take at least seven years to even submit to the FDA for the right to sell the medication.
Interestingly enough there is something that is currently available that could have more impact than any drug choice and with no negative side effects. It can be administered orally in person, or you can deliver it by video, podcast or even by the internet. You have all heard of it before: it’s called diabetes self-management training. Yet only 11% of our patients ever get it. Even the drug companies themselves know how valuable it is, as most of their clinical studies include an education component and there are more than ten diabetes related companies that provide it free to our patients. I wonder why, with all this evidence, more patients are not referred to education and why the same Senate committee doesn’t make it easier for patients to get the education that we all know works.
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Many patients start to be a little more active in the summer months and often cramping and leg pain get the best of them. Sometimes it can be severe enough to slow people down considerably and it is hard to find a way to prevent these cramps. Sheri Colberg, Ph.D., has researched this and brings her expertise this week to discuss, Muscle Cramps: Are They Preventable or Inevitable with Physical Activity? just for you.
Announcements:
TCOYD 2010 Mini-Series, Wednesday, July 28, 2010, San Diego, CA: Type 1 Night Closing the Loop
"Type 1 Night Closing the Loop: Bridging the gap until there is a cure" hosted by Steven V. Edelman, MD. Guest Speakers: Howard Zisser, MD, Sansum Diabetes Research Institute, Santa Barbara. Who Should Attend: All people with Type 1 diabetes and their family members and loved ones. Goal: Gain knowledge about closing the loop and experience the camaraderie of being with fellow Type 1’s and their families. For more 2010 upcoming conference details, please go to TCOYD.org.
dLife.com: July 18, 7PM ET on CNBC
Topics: dLife looks at breaking insulin barriers in type 2 treatment with Dr. Steve Edelman. Plus, dLife explains most important number in your diabetes care—the A1C. And, how a pastor’s wife started a movement in faith-based healthcare. Special Guest: Dr. Steve Edelman. Sundays on CNBC at 7 PM ET, 6 PM CT, and 4 PM PT. Catch up on dLife.com.
Please answer this week's Poll question (in the right-hand column):
What percentage of your diabetes patients do you refer to education classes for diabetes?
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We can make a difference!
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Check out this week's "Test Your Diabetes Knowledge" question!
Dave Joffe, Editor-in-chief
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