Diabetes

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens unveiled the results of research, conducted by the drug store chain, that demonstrated how its approach to community pharmacy ultimately helped improve outcomes through cost savings, pharmacist-led face-to-face patient counseling and specialized services for disease management.

New research results, presented by Walgreens at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy's 24th Annual Meeting and Expo last week in San Francisco, included:

WOONSOCKET, R.I. — CVS/pharmacy took center stage on the latest episode of "The Doctors," as one of the chain's pharmacists sat down with one of the show's co-hosts to discuss how patients can manage diabetes on a budget.

Speaking with emergency room physician Dr. Travis Stork, CVS pharmacist Usheema Thomas told an audience member that recently was diagnosed with diabetes how to manage her condition by using a blood-glucose monitoring system. Thomas also discussed CVS/pharmacy's free ExtraCare for Diabetes program and the benefits of enrolling into the program.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Watson Pharmaceuticals announced the launch of an authorized generic version of a drug used to lower blood glucose in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. — Regulators have approved a new blood-glucose monitoring system made by Bayer HealthCare, the company said.

Bayer announced the Food and Drug Administration's approval of Contour Next EZ, which includes a meter and test strip sensors that the company said would improve accuracy.

Bayer said the system is being introduced on a market-by-market basis and will be available in the United States this summer.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Generic drug maker Watson is challenging the patent protection on a drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes.

Watson said Thursday that it had filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of a generic version of Depomed's Glumetza (metformin hydrochloride extended-release tablets) in the 1,000-mg strength.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Once the season starts, nobody really remembers the number of stolen bases nabbed by Gregor Blanco (13) or the number of batters who could neither put a Francisco Liriano pitch into play nor tease out a walk (33). But ask the fans how many balls their favorite player knocked out of the park through spring training, chances are they'll be able to tell you.

ST. LOUIS — Fresh off the heels of its merger with Medco Health Solutions, pharmacy benefit manager Express Scripts announced Monday the launch of a medication nonadherence detection system and offered a preview of its annual "Drug Trend Report."

INDIANAPOLIS — Lilly Diabetes and Walgreens on Monday launched an awareness campaign at 43 Walgreens pharmacies throughout the Indianapolis area on the consequences of hypoglycemia.