Inhaled insulin a reality?

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 16 Feb 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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Recent newspaper reports have suggested that insulin inhalers may be a reality in the UK within the year. Real advances have been made in finding an alternative to daily insulin injections in recent years, however, it would appear a little optimistic to hope that inhalers will be widely available this year.

While extensive trials have been going on for a number of years, inhalers have yet to be declared safe and effective for use by licensing bodies in either the UK or US.

Suzanne Lucas, Director of Research and Care at Diabetes UK said, 'This is exciting news, as many people with diabetes are looking forward to the day they can swap their needles for an inhaler or a pill. It would appear that this is becoming a more realistic hope all the time. However, until approval is granted in the UK, people should not get too excited.'

A number of companies are currently developing alternatives to injections but two inhaled insulin projects seem to be the closest to becoming a reality. Work also continues into the possibility of an insulin pill.

This article came from:
http://www.diabetes.org.uk/news/feb04/inhaled.htm

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