Utah mother is fighting for herself teenage daughter’s Access to diabetes medications.
Ruby Smart, 15, has been taking Levemir (Detemir) insulin since she was diagnosed. type 1 diabetes Over 2 years ago.
“Levemir is uniquely suited to her situation,” the girl’s mother, Alison Smart, said in an interview with Fox News Digital.
The family was stunned when Novo Nordisk, the Denmark-based manufacturer of Levemir, announced in November 2023 that it would discontinue production of the drug.
Harvard University researchers say eating this food twice a week may double your risk of diabetes.
Smart’s current mission is to either convince Novo Nordisk to continue manufacturing Levemir or find a pharmaceutical company to develop a biosimilar (generic) replacement.
Levemir is long-acting basal insulin It is injected once or twice a day to control high blood sugar levels in adults and children with diabetes, according to Novo Nordisk’s website.
Utah mother Alison Smart (pictured in green sweater with Ruby Smart, 15) is fighting for her teenage daughter’s access to diabetes medication. (Alison Smart/iStock)
Ms. Smart’s daughter is an active athlete who plays on the Woods Cross High School tennis team. Levemir has allowed her to continue with her normal activities while keeping her diabetes under control.
Although there are several other types of basal insulin on the market, Smart said Levemir best suited her daughter’s needs.
Depression found to be a ‘contributor’ to type 2 diabetes risk, new study reveals ‘important’ findings
“Levemir is unique in that it is a relatively short-acting basal insulin, making it ideal for people with fluctuating basal insulin requirements, such as teenagers, menstruating women, pregnant women, and athletes. ” she said.
“The other two insulins also have side effects that you don’t need to worry about when using Levemir.”
“She’s very active and plays tennis almost every day,” Smart said of her daughter in the photo. “The pump was fine for everyday activities, but it didn’t work on the day of the tennis tournament.” (Alison Smart)
They tried an insulin pump for a few weeks. This is a wearable device that provides a steady flow of insulin to the body. But Smart said it was not compatible with her daughter’s product. high activity level.
“She’s very active and plays tennis almost every day,” Smart said. “The pump was fine for everyday activities, but it didn’t work on the day of the tennis tournament.”
‘Surprising’ new study finds ‘night owls’ are at much higher risk of type 2 diabetes than early risers
Smart advocates for people to have choice.
“The bottom line is that Levemir is working for us,” she said. “Levemir’s plan to inject her insulin multiple times daily will make our lives much easier and less complicated.”
Reason for cancellation
Novo Nordisk cited three main reasons for discontinuing sales of Revenia.
“We made this decision after careful consideration due to global manufacturing issues, reduced patient coverage, and our confidence that U.S. patients can find alternative treatments,” the company said in a press release. said.
Novo Nordisk has announced that it will discontinue sales of Levemir in November 2023. “During this period, we strongly encourage healthcare professionals and patients to discuss transitioning to alternative treatment options prior to the discontinuation date,” the company said in a statement. (Liselotte Sabrow/Scanpix Denmark/AFP)
Contacted by Fox News Digital, Novo Nordisk provided the following recommendations for doctors and patients.
“During this period, we strongly recommend the following: healthcare professional Patients will then discuss transition to alternative treatment options prior to the discontinuation date. Novo Nordisk, along with other companies, offers many alternative treatment options for diabetics who require basal insulin. ”
The company suggested patients switch to other basal insulin options including, but not limited to, Basaglar, insulin degludec, insulin glargine U-300, Lantus, Resfoglar, Semgly, Tougeo, and Tresiba.
“Other options for basal insulin are not equivalent or sufficient. They have different side effects and different qualities.”
However, many parents say these options are not the same.
“Other options for basal insulin are not equivalent and not sufficient. They have different side effects and different qualities,” Smart told FOX News Digital.
“It’s less flexible and difficult to use in people with different basal insulin needs, like teenagers.”
Alison Smart (far right) is pictured with two other parents of teenagers with type 1 diabetes in Washington, D.C. (Alison Smart)
Other parents are also concerned about having to change their medications.
Jaime Rosinski, a mother in Tampa, Florida, has a 14-year-old son with type 1 diabetes. He has been on Levemir for years.
“Levemir is a valuable insulin for the following patients. kids and teensTheir insulin needs change all the time as they grow,” she told FOX News Digital.
Ozempic Wegoby pill may be in development: clinical trial shows promising results for new weight loss tablet
“Levemir’s action profile is ideal for patients who require rapid and sustained change,” she continued.
“The insulins that the industry tells us to switch to, like Lantus and Tresiba, last too long in the body for people like him and become dangerous overnight,” she says. “They also come with side effects, all of which he experienced when we tried them both shortly after his diagnosis seven years ago.”
Smart worked with other parents to form the Alliance to Defend Insulin Choice. She also visited Washington, D.C. twice to meet with senators and members of Congress. (Alison Smart)
Levemir is expected to be available until December 2024, but Smart said providers have warned that “supply disruptions are expected” until then.
Some insurance companies have already discontinued coverage due to discontinuation of production.
In November, Smart received a letter from her insurance company saying she would no longer be part of Levemir’s insurance plan. They then agreed to add it back, but only if she paid the premium.
“It’s not as cut and dry as it looks.”
Erin Palinsky-Wade, Certified Diabetes Educator in new jerseysaid the discontinuation of Levemir was “understandably surprising and frustrating” for patients dependent on this brand of insulin.
“There are other forms of long-acting insulin on the market, but each has slight differences, such as peak times, that can have a big impact on blood sugar management during the day,” she told Fox News. told Digital.
“Children and teens may experience greater fluctuations in blood sugar levels.”
“Transitioning insulin from one brand of insulin to another is not as easy as one might think, and adjustments can occur that can result in periods of hyperglycemia or hypoglycemic episodes (dangerous hypoglycemia),” Palinsky said. = Mr. Wade added.
For parents who are dependent on Levemir, experts work with doctors, endocrinologists, and nutritionists to help find the right treatment while minimizing fluctuations in blood sugar levels to ensure the best possible transition. We recommend that you make a plan. most effective alternative.
“Levemir is a valuable insulin for children and teenagers whose insulin needs constantly change as they grow,” the mother said. (St. Petersburg)
When transitioning to a new insulin, Palinski-Wade noted, patients will need to increase their blood sugar testing to prevent and correct spikes and dips in blood sugar levels.
“This is especially important for children and teens because activity, growth, and hormonal fluctuations can lead to greater fluctuations in blood sugar levels,” she says.
AI healthcare platform predicts diabetes with high accuracy, but ‘no substitute for patient care’
Tanya Freilich, a certified diabetes educator and lupus nutritionist in New York City, agreed that the closest alternative in terms of duration of action is Lantus (insulin glargine).
“One of the differences is peak hours,” she told FOX News Digital.
“Lantas Peak” [or lowers the blood sugar the most] Levemir peaks 8 to 10 hours after administration, compared to 6 hours after administration. This difference will influence the appropriate timing of medication to prevent dangerous hypoglycemia. ”
Dr. Mark Siegel, a professor of clinical medicine at New York University Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, also said he was disappointed by the news of the discontinuation. (Fox News)
Dr. Mark Siegel, Clinical Professor, School of Medicine New York University Langone Medical Center Fox News medical contributors also said they were disappointed by the news of the discontinuation.
“It’s not based on a product issue, it’s a supply chain and production issue,” he told Fox News Digital.
“We definitely need a biosimilar version to replace this,” he said. “It could save lives.”
“This is based on a supply chain and production issue, not a product issue.”
“Some patients really need insulin, and Levemir may be their best option.”
Siegel said Levemir is “very similar” to Lantus, but with two key differences: “less weight gain and less hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).”
Advocating for access
Smart took action after Novo Nordisk announced production discontinuation in November.
She started an online petition and began contacting the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. who.
“This drug is on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines,” she said. “I couldn’t help but think that something like this could happen and people wouldn’t be as outraged as I was.”
Click here to sign up for our health newsletter
Smart also joined forces with other parents to form the Alliance to Defend Insulin Choice.she has visited Washington DCwill meet twice with senators and members of Congress.
“Our goal is to have Novo Nordisk slow the pace of discontinuation and produce Levemir insulin for several years until the biosimilar becomes widely available,” she said.
“We would like to find a biosimilar manufacturer to make this insulin so that we can continue to have access to this insulin.”
Smart, who lives in Utah, said her insulin pump, a wearable device that provides a steady stream of insulin to her body, doesn’t keep up with her daughter’s high activity level. (St. Petersburg)
Smart acknowledges the drug may not be available “forever,” but said the pace of discontinuation is likely “because it takes a long time for biosimilars to become commercially available.” The aim is to loosen the restrictions and make Levemir available for several more years.
Smart’s efforts have also attracted the attention of billionaire Mark Cuban, who has announced his intention to continue producing Levemir in partnership with Novo Nordisk.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Cuban said his drug company, CostPlus Drug Company, is “trying to find a way to get resources.” [Levemir]. ”
“We’re not there yet, but we’re trying,” he said.
For more health articles, visit: www.foxnews.com/health.
