New diabetes drug stimulates insulin production in the body

WHAT does the future hold when it comes to Filipinos getting better diabetic care? There are about four million adults in the country who have diabetes. The common comorbidities with type 2 diabetes are heart disease and obesity. more than 32 percent of those with type 2 diabetes have cardiovascular complications, while more than 87 percent are either overweight or obese. meanwhile, 85 percent of Filipinos with type 2 diabetes have uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed that ischemic heart diseases were the leading cause of death among Filipinos in 2020, accounting for approximately 99,700 deaths. meanwhile, diabetes mellitus is the fourth leading cause of death among Filipinos last year, or approximately 37,300 deaths.

Dr. Gilbert Vilela, Vice President of the Philippine Heart Association, explained that for the past three years, ischemic heart disease, cancer, and pneumonia have been listed as the top three causes of death in Filipinos, with diabetes in fourth place.

But what is interesting, according to Dr. Vilela, is that the increase in ischemic heart disease is only 2.3 percent, cancer went down by about 10 percent, and pneumonia by about six percent. However, diabetes went up by 7.8 percent.

“It is a very silent and persistent problem. The pandemic and subsequent lockdown have directly affected diabetes control—there is the lack of accessibility, the limitation of movement and lack of exercise, and an increase in anxiety and fear among patients and their families,” Dr. Vilela said.

Behavior change

For Dr. michael Villa, President of the Philippine Society of endocrinology, Diabetes and metabolism (PSEDM), Filipinos’ behavior should change immediately when it comes to living with type 2 diabetes, especially given the need for treatment options that not only address blood sugar levels, but also the risks that come with type 2 diabetes.

“Type 2 makes up for about 85 percent of the population of patients with diabetes. Coupled with type 2 diabetes, these patients have multiple risk factors. These are mostly adult patients. Some are smokers, some are hypertensive or with cholesterol problems. This is an area that needs to be addressed, and this is exactly why we are raising concerns with these types of patients,” according to Dr. Villa.

Aside from risk factors, those with diabetes develop complications due to elevated levels of sugar. “There should be a national coordinated effort to continue preventing other noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, and this is one of the things we are encouraging,” Dr. Villa added.

Once weekly medicine

THE once-weekly GLP-1 receptor agonist is a new medicine for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. It stimulates insulin (a hormone made by the pancreas that helps regulate the amount of sugar in the blood), and suppresses glucagon (a hormone that causes the liver to release sugar into the blood) release, while decreasing appetite and food intake. It also reduces cardiovascular risk by modifying the progression of atherosclerosis (the build-up of fatty deposits in the arteries), as well as by reducing blood pressure, lipid levels and weight.

It is a prescribed drug and therefore would need medical consultation. “You should talk to a doctor or any qualified healthcare provider about your condition for proper assessment and diagnosis before taking any medication,” Dr. Villa said.

Novo Nordisk, who has pioneered scientific breakthroughs, expanded access to medicines, and drove change in diabetes, obesity, and chronic diseases in the country, introduced this innovative diabetic treatment option that had been studied in over 10,000 type 2 diabetes patients worldwide.

Drop in sugar levels

ITS biggest benefit is that it helped reduce blood sugar levels and body weight, compared to other common type 2 diabetes treatment options, as well as providing cardiovascular benefits.

“It’s really like a two-in-one option, just like coffee, minus the palpitations,” Dr. Vilela said.

‘’Novo Nordisk is playing a vital role in introducing research and development-based innovative diabetes treatment to the diabetic patients of the country,” said H.e. Grete Sillasen, Ambassador, royal Danish embassy manila.

For his part, Cihan Serdar Kizilcik, Vicepresident and General manager of Novo Nordisk Philippines, said the company remains committed to developing innovative medicines to help Filipinos living with diabetes lead longer and healthier lives.

“We’re at the forefront of innovating GLP1 treatments where we can help people with type 2 diabetes address cardiovascular risks and other multiple risk factors. This is how we express our unique Novo Nordisk brand of care—by addressing the unmet needs of people with diabetes,” he said.