Diabetes

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — The link between high-fat diets and Type 2 diabetes has been known for a long time, but researchers at the University of North Carolina said they’ve found out how that link occurs.

Led by UNC at Chapel Hill School of Medicine professor Jenny Ting, the team found that the key contributor to Type 2 diabetes is a diet high in saturated fat, but not unsaturated fat. Such diets cause immune cells to produce interleukin-1beta, an inflammatory protein.

INDIANAPOLIS — Drug maker Eli Lilly will get at least two more years of patent exclusivity on a drug used to treat depression, anxiety and pain resulting from diabetic neuropathy and fibromyalgia, thanks to a court order issued Wednesday.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana ruled to forbid Wockhardt and other generic drug companies from selling generic versions of Cymbalta (duloxetine hydrochloride) until patent protection expires, which is expected to occur in June 2013.

SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — Northeast supermarket chain Price Chopper will expand several of its health-and-wellness programs to combat diabetes as part of its participation in the American Pharmacists Association Foundation’s Project Impact: Diabetes initiative, the chain said.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Diabetes patients who adhere to their medication therapies have a significantly lower risk of hospitalization, according to a new study scheduled for presentation this week at the Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy’s 23rd annual meeting and showcase in Minneapolis.

The study, conducted by pharmacy benefit manager Prime Therapeutics using data from more than 15,000 patients, found that medication adherence among diabetes patients cut the risk of hospitalization by 31%, compared with patients who were not compliant.

Health and wellness is a major focus for grocer Albertsons, and that also holds true for its youngest of customers. 


Enter Healthy Kidz Club. 


Comparison shopping across blood-glucose meters couldn’t be easier than at Walgreens. Pictured here at a store just outside of Baltimore, customers can hold and feel the individual monitors and review individual bullet points as part of this pull-box display. Located just outside the pharmacy waiting area, the display also is ideal for quick and easy pharmacist recommendations. 


Wegmans Food Markets last fall began installing Diabetes Solutions Centers across all 77 of its stores. This one, located in Wegmanʼs newest Maryland store in Woodmore, is adjacent to the pharmacy in the waiting area. Across from the pharmacy, which is located in the center of the store just behind the checkout registers, is Wegmans extensive health-and-wellness-oriented medicine and supplement section.


The center merchandises Wegmans’ new store-brand blood-glucose monitoring systems from Nipro Diagnostics, as well as other diabetes products and supplies.


The Midwest is known for flat landscapes and fertile farm fields stretching to the horizon, but it also is home to one of the country’s oldest and most successful mass merchandise chains — one with a long history of strong emphasis on pharmacy programs.


Where a growing number of chains have adopted generic discount programs, Meijer has taken to giving many drugs away for free. The list of medications that customers can obtain at no charge now includes metformin for Type 2 diabetes, prenatal vitamins and most antibiotics.