Diabetes

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The National Community Pharmacists Association on Thursday expressed its support behind the Diabetic Testing Supply Access Act (S. 1935). 

The legislation would allow independent community pharmacies to provide same-day delivery of diabetes testing supplies to Medicare beneficiaries and was introduced by Senss Jerry Moran, R-Kan., and John Thune, R-S.D. 

Since July 1, 2013 community pharmacies have been banned from delivering DTS to beneficiaries, including those who are homebound or in long-term care or assisted living facilities. 

NEW YORK — A physician in Mississippi is warning that one-third of the state's population could have diabetes in less than two decades, according to published reports.

The Guardian interviewed Richard deShazo of the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, quoting him as saying that about a third of the population would have diabetes by 2030.

MILPITAS, Calif. — LifeScan on Monday introduced the new OneTouch VerioSync Meter, which uses Bluetooth technology to wirelessly send blood sugar test results to devices using the OneTouch Reveal mobile app.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new drug made by Bristol-Myers Squibb and AstraZeneca for treating Type 2 diabetes, the agency said Wednesday.

The FDA announced the approval of Farxiga (dapagliflozin) tablets, designed for use with exercise and dietary adjustments to control blood sugar. Type 2 diabetes affects about 24 million people in the United States, accounting for more than 90% of diabetes cases.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Nipro Diagnostics on Thursday announced it is initiating a voluntary recall and replacement of a limited number of TRUEbalance and TRUEtrack Blood Glucose Meters distributed both in the United States and outside the United States.

NEW YORK — Diabetes organizations in several cities are getting a boost in funding from a Danish drug maker that specializes in developing treatments for the disease.

Novo Nordisk said it would provide funding to groups in Seattle; Portland, Ore.; and Rochester, Minn., as part of the Novo Nordisk Community Care initiative. The initiative provides funding to nonprofits that support educational programs for people with Type 2 diabetes.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Further expanding the scope of preventive healthcare services provided by its pharmacists, Walgreens as of Monday is now offering daily testing for cholesterol, blood glucose and body composition at more than 60 stores in Maryland. 

Each test also includes a free blood pressure reading and personal consultation with a Walgreens pharmacist.