New WISE recommendations to ensure the safety of diabetes injections published
WISE (the Workshop on Injection Safety in Endocrinology) has published new global recommendations on ensuring the safety of all people in potential contact with sharps used in the treatment of diabetes.
The recommendations were informed by the results of a large 4-month survey of sharps injuries amongst 634 nurses from 13 western European countries and the outcome of the October 2011 WISE, which brought together a diverse group of 58 leaders in the field of diabetes safety.
The WISE recommendations are intended as a roadmap for implementing the EU Directive in diabetes care settings, and include a scale that shows the strength of the recommendations.
ForxigaTM{kcalb} licensed in UK for T2D
ForxigaTM(dapagliflozin), a new once-daily tablet to improve blood glucose control for adults with T2D, developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca, has been granted marketing authorisation by the European Medicines Agency. It is the first agent in the sodium–glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor class.
ForxigaTM is indicated for use as a monotherapy and in combination with other glucose-lowering treatments, including insulin, in people who have not achieved adequate blood glucose control.
ForxigaTM also offers other potential advantages for people with T2D, including weight loss as a secondary benefit.
Jentadueto®{kcalb} launches in the UK for treatment of adults with T2D
Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly and Company announced the launch of Jentadueto®, a single-tablet combination of linagliptin and metformin, in the UK.
Jentadueto®, the new addition to the Trajenta® (linagliptin) brand family, combines two oral antidiabetes agents of different modes of action, with the aim of improving glucose control in adults with T2D.
The new combination therapy is available in two doses (2.5 mg/850 mg and 2.5 mg/1000 mg), which should be taken twice daily for the treatment T2D in adults.
Following a phase III trial that demonstrated the efficacy and safety of Jentadueto®, a 1-year, randomised, double-blind extension study was carried out. From this study it was seen that linagliptin 2.5 mg plus metformin 1000 mg provided sustained HbA1c reductions of up to 1.63% (17.8 mmol/mol) from baseline, over the combined 1.5-year period.
“The availability of the linagliptin plus metformin combination is a logical step forward in the treatment pathway for patients with T2D, bringing together two effective treatment options whilst reducing the number of tablets needed to effectively lower blood glucose levels,” commented Professor Anthony Barnett, Consultant Physician and Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and University of Birmingham. He added: “Poor therapy adherence remains one of the greatest challenges to effective management of T2D. Whilst there are many reasons for this, increasing tablet load is one of the most important. Single-tablet combination therapy is therefore to be encouraged. The availability of this new single-tablet combination is a welcome addition to our therapeutic armamentarium.”
A team of cyclists set off from Portsmouth on the morning of World Diabetes Day, 14 November, and cycled 155 miles to the NEC in Birmingham, which they reached (pictured below) late afternoon on 15 November. The ride raised funds and awareness for the charity Diabetes Power (www.diabetespower.org.uk).
The team comprised staff from Nipro Diagnostics, diabetes specialist nurse Lorraine Avery, and Angela Allison from the charity.
Attempts to achieve remission, or at least a substantial improvement in glycaemic control, should be the initial focus at type 2 diabetes diagnosis.
9 May 2024