Numbers
A recent study, sponsored by Glaxo Smith Kline proposes an interesting solution based on a study they commissioned. In the 5,000-patient clinical trial, called DREAM, GSK's drug, Avandia, decreased by 62% the number of people with high blood sugar who would otherwise have developed diabetes. By "coincidence," since we're talking about the world's pre-diabetic population, this expands the potential market for Avandia by some 49,000,000 people in the US alone. Oh happy days!
There was one slightly disturbing side note. The use of Avandia also increased by 37% the rate of a collection of heart problems that included heart attacks and strokes. Many doctors such as Barry Goldstein, director of endocrinology at Thomas Jefferson University, do not see this as a problem however. "I don't see it as a worrisome signal," he says.