Pfizer Pulls the Plug...
Well, it came as no surprise to me that Pfizer pulled the plug on the first inhaled insulin, Exubera, yesterday. This product has been fraught with problems since its launch: from a prescriber's point of view this included dosing that was difficult to equate with traditional insulin use, the need to perform pulmonary function testing before prescribing and at regular intervals after starting the medication, and restrictions on prescribing the drug for those who may have compromised lung function, such as smokers and those with asthma.
From the perspective of the user, there was a fairly large administration device to carry, and the potential to have to load and inhale several capsules per single dose. Personally, in addition to the other prescriber concerns, I thought the fact that fully 1/3 of the medication was lost in the upper airway was such a waste, that I couldn't get enthusiastic about using it. Thank goodness I didn't, because now of course everyone will have to be transitioned off the medication.
The member survey at Present Global Diabetes didn't surprise me either. When I took the survey 55 members had responded. Respondents overwhelming believe that Exubera failed because medical providers didn't believe in it, as opposed to a lack of patient acceptance. Their top two reasons for this belief were that the administration device was too big, and that there were problems with the frequency of administration and the "relevant" insulin dose.
The really interesting part of this survey was that it supported my long-term contention that an aversion to injecting insulin is a problem for health care providers, not for people living with diabetes. An overwhelming majority of respondents (74.5%) agreed that "insulin injections are not as big of a deal as people thought." Well, no kidding! When I teach diabetes classes and talk to people about insulin injections, most are a bit fearful, but once they feel the needle they are surprised that it hurts less than measuring their blood sugar by finger stick.
In my opinion, health care providers need to look at their own concerns about prescribing insulin, and ask their patients how they feel about it.
Take care, Laurie
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: diabetes, Exubera, Pfizer
From the perspective of the user, there was a fairly large administration device to carry, and the potential to have to load and inhale several capsules per single dose. Personally, in addition to the other prescriber concerns, I thought the fact that fully 1/3 of the medication was lost in the upper airway was such a waste, that I couldn't get enthusiastic about using it. Thank goodness I didn't, because now of course everyone will have to be transitioned off the medication.
The member survey at Present Global Diabetes didn't surprise me either. When I took the survey 55 members had responded. Respondents overwhelming believe that Exubera failed because medical providers didn't believe in it, as opposed to a lack of patient acceptance. Their top two reasons for this belief were that the administration device was too big, and that there were problems with the frequency of administration and the "relevant" insulin dose.
The really interesting part of this survey was that it supported my long-term contention that an aversion to injecting insulin is a problem for health care providers, not for people living with diabetes. An overwhelming majority of respondents (74.5%) agreed that "insulin injections are not as big of a deal as people thought." Well, no kidding! When I teach diabetes classes and talk to people about insulin injections, most are a bit fearful, but once they feel the needle they are surprised that it hurts less than measuring their blood sugar by finger stick.
In my opinion, health care providers need to look at their own concerns about prescribing insulin, and ask their patients how they feel about it.
Take care, Laurie
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: diabetes, Exubera, Pfizer
3 Comments:
most of us would be better off if the doctors just told us the truth and stopped babying us.
My wife has been on insulin for a number of years and must take about 6 shots a day. She has a lot of problems with the pain, the bruising and other issues. She quit smoking 5 months ago in hopes of switching to the inhaled meds. Her doctor said her lungs were getting better and that perhaps at the 6th month she would be able to switch. I want to thank someone for the enormous let down and the great discouragement awarded to her. Pfizer did not give this entire group of people enough time to heal their lungs from smoking to begin using their drug. And your perception of the pain issue is all wrong also. Thanks Pfizer for deciding failure without planning enough time for the patients to physically adapt.
Just found out today that Exubera is off the market. I hope to "find" as much of this drug as I can for future use. My husband loves this drug!! He has an aversion to needles, even small ones, (does not self-inject),and this option for insulin was a God send for us. It gave him independance with administration. We blessed the inventor daily. If anyone has supplies or knows how we can obtain 3mg+1mg. blister packs we'll be forever grateful.
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