GPs and pharmacists now have greater opportunities to understand the latest evidence and treatment options for the management of type 2 diabetes.

“Diabetes mellitus is the seventh leading cause of death in Australia” said Dr Stephen Phillips, Chair, NPS. “From this month, NPS is making it easier for health professionals to keep up-to-date with the latest evidence-based approaches to treatment through publications such as NPS News, online resources including NPS RADAR, national case studies, small group meetings, local educational visiting and the current series of The Leading Edge: New Drugs Seminars.”

“Over 19,500 registrants of NPS RADAR will be alerted to the new PBS combination drug metformin/glibenclamide (Glucovance), and the changed indication for rosiglitazone (Avandia) for type 2 diabetes mellitus. Just because these are now available, it doesn’t mean current treatment practices should be changed, especially without careful consideration of the patient’s circumstances, and the risks, available evidence and safety profile of the drugs,” said Dr Phillips.

In addition, over 50 divisions of general practice across Australia will be involved with the reducing risk in type 2 diabetes program at a local level. The program will focus on the management of patients with this disease both by encouraging lifestyle changes and by using medicines. Participating GPs will gain hints on the use of oral agents such as metformin, adding a second agent and the safe initiation of insulin.

“GPs and pharmacists are also invited to join in, discuss and debate the roles of old and new hypoglycaemic drugs at The Leading Edge: New Drugs Seminars. It is important for health professionals and consumers to understand how the benefits and limitations of new drugs compare to the treatments with which we are familiar. So the program covers the place of glitazones in relation to older medicines in the management of type 2 diabetes” said Prof Gillian Shenfield, expert speaker at some of the seminars and clinical pharmacologist and general physician at Royal North Shore Hospital, Sydney.

How can you get involved?

• Register for your free NPS RADAR log on to www.npsradar.org.au. The April issue of NPS RADAR also includes independent reviews of:
• • Pimecrolimus (Elidel) cream for facial atopic dermatitis in children
  • Risperidone (Risperdal) for behavioural disturbances in dementia; and
  • SSRIs in childhood and adolescent depression
• Contact your local division to find out if they are involved in the Reducing risk in type 2 diabetes program and how you can sign up for a practice visit or small group case discussion session and enrol in the clinical audit
• Enrol in The Leading Edge: New Drugs Seminars being held across Australia over the coming months. For a seminar near you, visit www.nps.org.au.

ENDS

National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS) provides evidence-based information and services to health professionals and the community on Quality Use of Medicines (QUM). To achieve this we work in partnership with GPs, pharmacists, specialists, other health professionals, Government, pharmaceutical industry, consumer organisations and the community. NPS is an independent, non-profit organisation funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.