Diabetes

DUBLIN — Perrigo Co. announced that it received final approval from the Food and Drug Administration for repaglinide tablets — a generic version of Prandin tablets — in 1-mg and 2-mg strengths. The company has started shipment of the drug. Perrigo previously launched the 0.5-mg strength in 2013.

PITTSBURGH — Mylan on Thursday announced that its subsidiary has launched repaglinide tablets, a generic version of Novo Nordisk's Prandin. The drug is used to improve glycemic control in adults with Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Repaglinide tablets in 0.5 mg, 1 mg and 2 mg had sales in the United States of approximately $212.95 million for the 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2013, according to IMS Health.

BOSTON — A new NPR/Robert Wood Johnson Foundation/Harvard School of Public Health poll released Tuesday found that Latinos in America see diabetes as the biggest health problem for their own families.

Nearly 1-in-5 (19%) Latinos said diabetes is the biggest health problem facing their families. The next most cited problem, cancer, is mentioned by just 1-in-20 Latinos (5%). Diabetes was the biggest health problem reported by both immigrant (16%) and non-immigrant Latinos (22%).

NEW YORK — Novo Nordisk has launched a new insulin pen designed for children with diabetes.

The new NovoPen Echo is the first and only prefilled pen device in the United States that allows for half-unit dosing in combination with a memory function, the company said.

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.