New thiazolidinedione launched
A third thiazolidinedione for oral treatment of type 2 diabetes, pioglitazone
(Actos) has been launched by Takeda. Pioglitazone has the same licensed indications
(see p701) as rosiglitazone, which
was launched by Smithkline Beecham in July (PJ, July 29 p153).
Both drugs are licensed only for use in combination with metformin or a sulphonylurea
and should not be used as monotherapy.
In a recent European survey of 755 people with insulin-treated diabetes, 15 per cent of those surveyed were not aware that avoiding high blood glucose levels prevented long-term complications. The survey, published by the International Diabetes Federation Europe, found that even though patients understood the importance of blood glucose monitoring, a fifth of those surveyed forgot to check their levels and an additional quarter did not have time to monitor their levels.