Decision Resources: More treatments needed for Type 2 diabetes

WALTHAM, Mass. Most clinicians see a need for more treatments from two drug classes to treat Type 2 diabetes, according to a report released Monday by healthcare market research firm Decision Resources.

According to the report, 71% of surveyed endocrinologists identified a need for more drugs belonging to the DPP-IV inhibitors, the class that includes Merck & Co.’s Januvia (sitagliptin), while 89% wanted to see more GLP-1 analogues, such as Amylin Pharmaceuticals’ and Eli Lilly & Co.’s Byetta (exenatide).

Likewise, 77% of primary care physicians saw a need for more GLP-1 analogues, and 74% called for more DPP-IV inhibitors. Seventy-five percent of managed care organizations’ pharmacy directors saw a need for more GLP-1 analogues, and 70% saw a need for more DPP-IV inhibitors.

Many respondents to the survey said Byetta had shortcomings that included frequent injections and nausea as a side effect, though Amylin and Eli Lilly submitted an application for a once-weekly formulation of Byetta to the Food and Drug Administration earlier this month.

The report, titled “A Clinician and Payer Perspective on Changing Dynamics in the Diabetes: Is There Room for New GLP-1 Analogues or DPP-IV Inhibitors?” was based on a survey of 77 primary care physicians, 72 endocrinologists and 20 MCO pharmacy directors.