Singapore, Feb 29, 2008: New Zealanders with type 2 diabetes now have access to a new medicine which is significantly less likely to cause weight gain or dangerously low blood sugar; thanks to Merck Sharp & Dohme New Zealand's (MSDNZ) once-daily tablet, JANUVIA (sitagliptin, MSD) that was approved for use in New Zealand this week.
Whilst there have been no new oral medications for New Zealanders with type 2 diabetes since 2002, an injectable incretin mimetic was registered in 2007. JANUVIA is expected to be available to purchase on prescription from March.
JANUVIA is the first in a new class of drugs known as dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors which enhance the body’s own ability to lower blood sugar (glucose) when it is elevated. This unique way of working is different from any other Type 2 diabetes treatments available in New Zealand.
Prof Russell Scott, of Christchurch School of Medicine and Health Sciences, said, “DPP-4 inhibitors are an important breakthrough. Approximately two out of three adults being treated for diabetes are not achieving target blood sugar levels, suggesting that current therapies have significant limitations.”
He further said, "JANUVIA is an exciting new medicine that effectively lowers blood sugar levels with fewer of the unwanted side effects often associated with existing therapies, such as weight gain and abnormally low blood sugar. This lack of side effects and the fact it only needs to be taken once daily, means people are more likely to stay on their medication and keep within their target blood sugar range."
Mr Alister Brown, Managing Director of MSDNZ, said, "JANUVIA is an important new advance in diabetes therapy and as a company we are committed to developing world class products that will support the work already underway in New Zealand, and around the world, to help prevent and manage this serious epidemic. There are approximately 214,000 New Zealanders currently affected by Type 2 diabetes and this is likely to grow to over 385,000 in the next 15 years.”
The release noted that JANUVIA is now available in 60 countries and is comparable in cost to other modern, once daily diabetes medicines which are currently funded in New Zealand. MSDNZ is entering into negotiations with PHARMAC about funding JANUVIA for patients who could most benefit.
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