Diabetes

CHICAGO — Individuals who have higher blood-glucose levels and poorer control of those levels over time appear more likely to develop eye-related complications 10 years later, according to a report in the February issue of Archives of Ophthalmology published Monday.

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Genentech, a subsidiary of Roche, reported that its eye drug helped improve vision in patients suffering from a complication caused by diabetes.

In its phase-3 RISE study, Genentech said diabetic macular edema patients that received monthly Lucentis (ranibizumab injection) achieved an improvement in vision at 24 months, compared with placebo.

NEW YORK — A multicultural study that will appear in the March issue of the Journal of Renal Care underscored the relationship between kidney disease and diabetes, and the need for greater awareness of this link.

In this small study, 23 South Asian diabetes patients and 25 white diabetes patients between the ages of 34 years and 79 years — with an average age of just older than 70 years — were surveyed to note any differences in the experiences, knowledge and attitudes of the two groups.

WASHINGTON — Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Wednesday announced a $750 million investment in prevention and public health, funded through the Prevention and Public Health Fund created by the new healthcare law.

“Prevention is something that can’t just happen in a doctor’s office,” Sebelius said. “If we are to address the big health issues of our time, from physical inactivity to poor nutrition to tobacco use, it needs to happen in local communities.”

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — The American Diabetes Association is working with an organization that offers free prescription drug savings cards to help increase access to diabetes medications.

The ADA and Together Rx Access said Wednesday that the cards can help millions of eligible uninsured patients receive savings of 25% to 40% on branded drugs, as well as savings on generics. Nearly 26 million people in the United States are living with diabetes, mostly Type 2 diabetes, many of whom lack health insurance.

SAN DIEGO — Medication education can help patients with diabetes stay compliant with their medication regimens, according to a new study published in the February issue of the journal Annals of Pharmacotherapy.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Two pharmacy trade groups already have given their blessings to legislation that would support medication therapy management, and a retail pharmacy chain that has made MTM part of its mission is following suit.

Kerr Drug announced its support for the Medication Therapy Management Empowerment Act of 2011, which Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C., recently introduced. The National Association of Chain Drug Stores and the National Community Pharmacists Association endorsed the bill last week.

NAPLES, Fla. — Pharmacy's role in the U.S. healthcare system has expanded dramatically over the past two years, thanks to several victories gained through pharmacy care and services.

Speaking at the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' Regional Chain Conference, NACDS board chairman and CVS Caremark president and COO Larry Merlo said that scientific research has further demonstrated how care and services provided by pharmacists and pharmacies have improved health outcomes of patients and cut costs for the healthcare system.