In the News... Levemir to be discontinued, Tandem/G7 integration launches, Beta Bionics coverage, and more!

It’s In the News, a look at the top stories and headlines from the diabetes community happening now. Top stories this week: Novo Nordisk will discontinue Levemir by the end of 2024, Tandem begins limited launch of software updates that will include Dexcom's G7, Beta Bionics iLet pump will be covered until some pharmacy plans, and lots more!

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Hello and welcome to Diabetes Connections In the News! I’m Stacey Simms and every other Friday I bring you a short episode with the top diabetes stories and headlines happening now.

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In the news is brought to you by Edgepark simplify your diabetes journey with Edgepark

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This week was World Diabetes Day so there is a LOT going on..

Our top story is

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Novo Nordisk said on Wednesday it would discontinue its long-acting insulin Levemir in the United States, citing manufacturing constraints, reduced patient access and available alternatives.

The Danish drugmaker said supply disruptions would start in mid-January, followed by discontinuation of the Levemir injection pen in April and of Levemir vials by the end of 2024.

Novo has another long-acting insulin, Tresiba, on the market and says quote - "global manufacturing constraints, significant formulary losses impacting patient access effective in January 2024, and the availability of alternative options in the U.S. market" are key factors in the decision.

The announcement comes eight months after Novo said it would cut U.S. list prices for several of its insulin products next year, including a 65% reduction in the list price of Levemir. Novo, which overtook LVMH (LVMH.PA) as Europe's most valuable listed company this year, posted record operating profit for the third quarter, with sales of its obesity drug Wegovy reaching $1.36 billion, up 28% from the previous quarter.

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/novo-nordisk-discontinue-levemir-insulin-us-market-2023-11-08/

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Big news from Tandem Diabetes this week – first, their Control IQ algorithm gets FDA approval for children as young as two years old. the technology’s original 2019 clearance limited its use to those aged 6 and older.

And.. they are officially rolling out the software update that will allow users to connect to either the Dexcom G6 or G7 CGM. If you’re in the limited launch you got an email this week telling you the next steps – wider release is expected gradually in the first part of 2024. Integration with Abbot’s FreeStyle Libre is expected very soon as well – which would mean Tandem’s tslim x2 and Mobi pumps would be compatible with three CGMs. Full disclosure: there wasn’t a media release that I received on this, but my son is in the limited launch group so we got the email.

 

https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/tandem-diabetes-care-cruises-fda-ok-toddler-use-automated-insulin-delivery-algorithm

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Beta Bionics iLet pump and its supplies are now covered as part of some pharmacy benefits - Express Scripts added it to its national formulary list. Historically, insulin pumps fall under the durable medical equipment (DME) insurance benefit. Usually pharmacy benefits are more flexible with fewer up front costs.

The system uses an adaptive, closed-loop algorithm that initializes with the user’s body weight and requires no additional insulin dosing parameters. The algorithm removes the need to manually adjust insulin pump therapy settings and variables.

iLet simplifies mealtime use by replacing conventional carb counting with its meal announcement feature. This enables users to estimate the amount of carbs in their meal, categorized as “small,” “medium” or “large.” Over time, the algorithm learns to respond to users’ individual insulin needs.

https://www.drugdeliverybusiness.com/beta-bionics-pharmacy-benefit-bionic-pancreas/

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The UK has launched a pioneering study to explore the development of type 1 diabetes in adults which aims to screen 20,000 individuals. Research will enable earlier and safer diagnosis of type 1 diabetes through blood tests. This makes the UK the first country to implement general population screening for type 1 diabetes in both children and adults. The Type 1 Diabetes Risk in Adults (T1DRA) study, launched on World Diabetes Day, seeks to enroll 20,000 adults aged 18 to 70.

Supported by The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust and building on the Diabetes UK-funded Bart’s Oxford Family study (BOX), T1DRA aims to unravel the mysteries of adult-onset type 1 diabetes.

https://www.diabetes.co.uk/news/2023/nov/groundbreaking-study-to-screen-20000-adults-for-type-1-diabetes.html

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The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), England’s cost-effectiveness watchdog, has finalized a draft guidance regarding hybrid closed-loop systems, concluding that the technology should be made broadly affordable and accessible to help people with Type 1 diabetes better manage the condition.

In this month’s final draft guidance (PDF), NICE recommended that hybrid closed-loop technology be offered to all people with Type 1 diabetes who are having trouble controlling the condition using their existing devices.

 

NICE said that it has already devised a five-year rollout plan with the NHS to bring the technology to people with Type 1 diabetes. Hybrid closed-loop systems will be offered first to children, young people, existing insulin pump users and women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, after which they’ll be issued to adults who have an average HbA1c reading of at least 7.5%.

https://www.fiercebiotech.com/medtech/nice-recommends-hybrid-closed-loop-systems-type-1-diabetes-prompting-praise-medtronic

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Commercial

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Kyle Banks was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes on November 1, 2015 while performing with the traveling production of Disney’s The Lion King.  Performing nightly for sold out audiences across the country was a dream come true, but after experiencing symptoms of the onset of type 1 diabetes, the dream temporarily turned into a nightmare. The symptoms he experienced were  typical for the onset of this chronic illness. but with limited knowledge of type 1 diabetes, he had no idea what was occurring or the drastic life change that would soon follow.  In 2020, he founded Kyler Cares in partnership with Children’s Hospital New Orleans and has since connected with families from across the country that are living with this disease.  Kyler Cares seeks to improve health outcomes for people of color living with diabetes and ensuring families can access the resources and technology available for better management is the route the organization is taking to achieve that goal.

At Kyler Cares we’re working to improve health outcomes for people of color living with diabetes by improving access to diabetes technology, creating connections to education and resources, and fostering community as an added system of support on our journeys.

Kyler Bear & Friends’ T1 Diaries is an eight-part animated series for kids, dedicated to storytelling about life with Type 1 Diabetes. Our series is more than just an educational tool; it’s a reflection of real-life stories and an avenue to strengthen community ties. It’s a vehicle for us to inspire young people to begin laying a foundation of knowledge and self-confidence with management of T1D that will resonate throughout their lives until a cure for the disease is discovered.

 

By supporting this series with a donation, you will be contributing to a project that not only educates and informs but also offers comfort and a sense of belonging to kids navigating life with T1D. ‘Kyler Bear’s T1 Diaries’ isn’t just a series; it’s a beacon of hope, a source of information, and a testament to the strength found in our amazing T1D community. Join us in bringing these stories to life

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Married At First Sight UK ends this week, but one bride says viewers haven't seen her whole story.

 

Fans will find out if Tasha Jay, 25, decides to stay with partner Paul Liba on the Channel 4 show.

 

But Tasha, who has type 1 diabetes, has spoken out about how footage about her condition didn't make the final cut.

 

While she's "really sad" that it was left out, Tasha's pleased that people are now realising why she behaved in a certain way on the show at times.

 

 

Married at First Sight - or MAFS - is a social experiment where experts match complete strangers who try to live as a couple.

 

Tasha says her wedding day with Paul on the show was a "really beautiful moment" that included her telling Paul about her diabetes and his reaction.

 

"I got filmed taking my insulin and checking my blood sugar," she tells BBC Newsbeat..

Tasha was diagnosed at aged two and half and says people have asked why that part of her was hidden in the show.

 

"And I'm like I didn't hide it," she says.

 

"For whatever reason they haven't shown it, which really upsets me because diabetes is a part of my story."

 

Tasha believes that, if people had known about her diabetes, it would have changed their perception of certain moments in the show.

https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-67368445