Exubera unpopular in Germany

May 19, 2006 at 3:12 pm | In Prescribing Extra - Drugs |

The Institute of Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG), the German equivalent of NICE, has completed a Rapid Review of Inhaled Insulin (Exubera)^®.

The report aimed to compare inhaled insulin to subcutaneous insulin over several patient-relevant endpoints including HbA_1c control, quality of life, treatment satisfaction, hypoglycaemia, adverse drug events and prevention of complications.

The report concluded that:

the risks of hypoglycaemia may be higher
long term treatment risks are unclear
reductions in the number of injections may not improve patient satisfaction or quality of life

IQWiG recommend that additional work needs to be undertaken in these areas to allow a more conclusive evaluation to be completed.

Action: Clinicians involved in treating diabetes may wish to be aware of the latest reviews of inhaled insulin. A Technology Appraisal from NICE is due in October 2006.