BMY is launching a public awareness campaign for type II diabetes. It urges patients to take charge of their disease. Should be good news for off label use of Targretin in a year or so:
New Public Awareness Program Sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb Urges Patients With
Type 2 Diabetes to Take Charge of Their Disease
PRINCETON, N.J., Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 15 million Americans
have type 2 diabetes, a serious medical condition which, if not treated
properly, can lead to complications such as blindness, kidney damage, and
amputations. For this reason, physicians and healthcare providers are
welcoming a new nationwide program, sponsored by Bristol-Myers Squibb
(NYSE: BMY), marketer of Glucophage(R) (metformin hydrochloride tablets),
which is designed to help motivate patients with type 2 diabetes to properly
manage this disease.
"As diabetes educators working with patients with type 2 diabetes on a
daily basis, we understand the importance of educating them about their
disease, and offering them the most appropriate treatment options for their
medical condition," said Jan Norman, RD, CDE, President, American Association
of Diabetes Educators. "We welcome this consumer awareness campaign for
type 2 diabetes, as we need to keep spreading the word about the seriousness
of the disease."
A unique aspect of this important awareness campaign is the early
notification of physicians through their specialized journals and
publications. The early notification of physicians began with the first phase
of the awareness program. This phase included a series of physician-directed
advertorials which appeared in medical publications, such as The Journal of
the American Medical Association and Hospital Practice. Additional
information about the awareness campaign was also mailed to physicians. In
addition, as part of the awareness campaign, physicians are being provided
with education kits to be used for patient counseling. These kits offer
information on the proper management of type 2 diabetes through diet,
exercise, and, when needed, drug therapy.
"Bristol-Myers Squibb wanted physicians to be the first to know about this
campaign," said Samuel L. Barker, Ph.D., President, Bristol-Myers Squibb, U.S.
Pharmaceutical Group. "If not handled properly, consumer campaign launches
can take physicians by surprise and may leave them unprepared to cope with an
influx of patient inquiries. By alerting them well in advance of the
Glucophage campaign launch, we seek to partner with physicians in
communicating a critical message to consumers -- take your disease seriously
and seek counsel from your healthcare provider."
The second phase of the awareness campaign is appearing in major
newspapers and magazines across the country and focuses on getting type 2
diabetic patients' disease under control. These ads encourage patients to
talk to their doctors or healthcare providers about the management of their
disease, which may include Glucophage(R) (metformin hydrochloride tablets)
therapy. Consumers can also request copies of the patient education kit by
calling 1-800-392-9700.
Importantly, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) recently took a major
step to generate widespread awareness of type 2 diabetes by issuing new
recommendations for earlier diagnosis of the disease and the lowering, to
126 mg/dL, of the fasting plasma glucose level at which people are diagnosed.
In addition, the ADA now also recommends that everyone 45 years of age or
older be routinely checked for type 2 diabetes.
Diabetes is the fourth leading cause of death by disease in the United
States. Of the 16 million Americans with diabetes, 15.3 million have type 2
diabetes. However, only half the people with type 2 diabetes have been
diagnosed and fewer still are receiving treatment. Type 2 diabetes usually
occurs later in life. In type 2 diabetes, although the body produces enough
insulin, tissues develop a resistance to its actions. As a result, sugar
levels rise above normal level and eventually can lead to kidney damage,
blindness, heart disease, amputations, and other complications.
Type 2 diabetes can be controlled through weight loss, dietary
modifications and regular exercise. When weight loss, diet and exercise do
not have the desired effect, patients can be treated with oral antidiabetics,
or if necessary, insulin. Glucophage(R) (metformin hydrochloride tablets) is
the most frequently prescribed branded oral antidiabetic in the United States,
with more than 3 million patients treated to date. Glucophage, an insulin
sensitizer, is used when the first line treatment of diet and exercise is not
successful and works by helping the body better use the insulin it already
produces, thereby increasing peripheral glucose uptake and decreasing glucose
production in the liver. The drug has an established efficacy and safety
record that is supported by millions of patient years of experience worldwide.
Glucophage does not cause weight gain and may reduce weight somewhat, and it
may modestly improve both cholesterol and triglyceride levels in patients with
type 2 diabetes, particularly if levels are elevated.
Glucophage(R) (metformin hydrochloride tablets) is generally well
tolerated. Gastrointestinal side effects are most common and generally
resolve with continued use. Lactic acidosis, a serious condition, has been
reported rarely, primarily in patients with renal insufficiency. If cases
occur, up to half may be fatal. Glucophage is contraindicated in patients
with renal disease or dysfunction, acute or chronic metabolic acidosis
including diabetic ketoacidosis, and in patients with impaired hepatic
function or excessive alcohol intake. Glucophage is not recommended for
pregnant or pediatric patients. The university group diabetes program study
suggested increased cardiovascular risk with sulfonylureas and biguanides such
as Glucophage.
Bristol-Myers Squibb is a diversified worldwide health and personal care
company whose principal businesses are pharmaceuticals, consumer products,
nutritionals and medical devices. It is a leading maker of innovative
therapies from cardiovascular, metabolic and infectious disease, central
nervous system and dermatologic disorders, and cancer. The company is also a
leader in consumer medicines, orthopaedic devices, ostomy care, wound
management, nutritional supplements, infant formulas, and hair and skin
products.
For full prescribing information, please contact Bonnie Jacobs at
609-252-4213.
Visit Bristol-Myers Squibb on the World Wide Web at bms.com
Glucophage(R) is a registered trademark of Lipha s.a., licensed to
Bristol-Myers Squibb.
SOURCE Bristol-Myers Squibb Company
CONTACT: Bonnie Jacobs of Bristol-Myers Squibb, 609-252-4213, or
pager, 800-488-2843 |
