1. "blatant selective manipulation of data" to overstate the drug's benefits and understate its risks."

Glaxo would have been well-served to follow the business model laid down by Eli Lilly. The statement above was equally true for human insulin--but the scientists, FDA, physicians somehow seemed (at the time) to be so enamored of the "new science" that they were effectively silenced. Maybe silenced isn't the correct word: cheerleading seems more appropriate in the human insulin issue.

Where was Dr. Buse when the "need" for human insulin was shown to be miniscule? Where was he when terms like "hypoglycemia unawareness" and "dead-in-bed" syndrome entered the diabetes vernacular? Where were our regulators (FDA) when human insulin was shown to have a higher risks of hypoglycemia UNAWARENESS, even when the studies comprised only a small number of patients. After more than a decade of "silence" it would open floodgates of litigation to speak out now, wouldn't it? The insulin-cartel (in the U.S.) now has absolute power (over diabetics). And what is it they say about absolute power . . . it corrupts ABSOLUTELY?

It will be interesting to see if Dr. Buse represents all diabetics as he takes the helm at ADA (his predecessor certainly did not); or will he be just another quasi-CEO for a quasi-corporation, and a malleable tool for diabusinesses.

Posted at 10:22PM on Jun 3rd 2007 by Melody

2. Bravo...Well said Melody.
I have broken more bones from falls due to Hypoglycemia Unawareness, than ever being on the mat(Martial Arts).
Politics should all be DELETED from the ADA and JDRF so these organizations can truly be representative of people with Diabetes.

Posted at 11:50PM on Jun 3rd 2007 by BetterCell

3. Probably the most compelling argument concerning “human insulin” and the deafening silence is this: if it is so “great” and “just like the human body makes,” why is Humulin being withdrawn from the market? And why, it may further be asked, does Humalog (merely because of associative branding?) have a “value” exceeding that of other analogs, i.e. natural human ANALOGS like porcine and bovine insulin. At least porcine and bovine insulins have substantive safety track records. In essence, diabetics are being used as guinea pigs for any new offerings coming from the insulin cartel, with the assurance that “newer is better.” If we fare badly—it will just be chalked up to the exigencies of the disease—never indicative of problematic pharmaceutical products.

Remember the industry mantra, “It’s just like the human body makes—why wouldn’t you want to take human insulin?” What are all the proponents—doctors, AMA, ADA, FDA—saying now? If they say, “Ooops, we made a mistake”—doesn’t liability attach? If they say, “It’s newer, it’s better,” doesn’t that engender distrust. We (diabetics) believed you last time . . . and life hasn’t been better. Why should we believe you now? And if they say, “We didn’t know,” then how can we continue to trust them. They assured us that they DID know; we could rely on their intelligence, education, training, expertise and integrity. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice . . .

Posted at 10:59AM on Jun 4th 2007 by Brent