The crazy world of type two diabetes drugs

Over at the flog, I read a post from a member who is on a drug I have not heard of until today, Lyxumia. The person is suffering bad side effects, nothing unusual there I thought. I checked the drug out, as usual for a type two medication, a pitifully small reduction in HbA1c. Nothing new there then. So, what about cost.

"Lyxumia's pricing will see it undercut its rival GLP-1 agonists Byetta (exenatide), now owned by Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Novo Nordisk's Victoza (liraglutide) in the UK.
Lyxumia will cost £54.14 for 28 days of treatment, compared to £68.24 for 30 days of treatment with Byetta and £78.48 for 30 days of treatment with Victoza."

Link to info here http://www.pmlive.com/pharma_news/sanofi_launches_diabetes_drug_lyxumia_in_the_uk_474777

As we see so often the reduction in HbA1c with expensive type two medication is hardly different from metfomin. Again what about cost.

Price: only £0.10 (No VAT) * Price shown per tablet / capsule. Pack price equivalent (56 Tablets) is £5.60 (No VAT)

Link to info here http://www.totalpharmacy.co.uk/metformin-tablet-500mg-p-3776.html

So, we have a drug with far more side effects, costs the thick end of ten times the cost of metformin and an extremely modest reduction in HbA1c. I reduced my HbA1c from 12 to 5.5 in three months with a low carb diet and 2 x 500 mg metformin, cost to the NHS £5.60. No type two medications come remotely close compared to the correct diet, and the correct diet carries no side effects.

Welcome to the crazy world of diabetes.

Link to more info on Lyxumia here http://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/27407/SPC/Lyxumia+Treatment+Initiation+Pack

The mentality of most people and doctor thanks to big pharma promotion is that if is new is because it must be better.

You are right Yoly, I just found this gem.

Newer drugs are no better. Two drugs from a class called the sulfonylureas and a drug named metformin have been around for more than a decade and work just as well as newer medicines. Indeed, several of the newer drugs, such as Januvia and Onglyza, are less effective than the older medications.

Newer drugs are no safer. All diabetes pills have the potential to cause adverse effects, both minor and serious. The drugs' safety and side effect "profiles" may be the most important factor in your choice.

The newer drugs are more expensive. The newer diabetes medicines cost many times more than the older drugs.

Taking more than one diabetes drug is often necessary. Many people with diabetes do not get enough blood sugar control from one medicine. Two or more may be necessary. However, taking more than one diabetes drug raises the risk of adverse effects and increases costs.

Link to info http://www.healthline.com/health/consumer-reports-type-2-diabetes

The NHS is in crisis, T2 diabetes is mushrooming, and a minimal-cost management regime is staring them in the face that avoids massive costs to the NHS in drugs and treatment/care of those who develop complications.

Er, or am I missing a trick here? ...