Diabetes charity questions whether patients really are at the 'Centre of Care'

20 January 2011

In June 2010, when 90,000 people with diabetes were given 6 months notice that the type of insulin they had been successfully using (Mixtard 30) was to be discontinued by the manufacturer (Novo Nordisk) - the Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust [IDDT] wrote to the Secretary of State for Health, Mr Andrew Lansley, asking for his help.

IDDT highlighted the effect that the withdrawal of this insulin and injection device would have – not only on the health and wellbeing of 90,000 people – but also the pressure that only 6 months' notice would put on NHS staff, the increase in costs to the NHS that would be incurred by these changes and the ongoing monitoring and support that would be needed for those affected by their treatment changes.

Jenny Hirst, Co-Chair of IDDT commented, "We were surprised that Mr Lansley's response showed so little understanding of the effect that this withdrawal would have on patients and on the NHS. He showed an unwillingness to take any action on behalf of patients, especially the most vulnerable groups – those with visual impairment and manual dexterity problems who, as a result of this withdrawal would lose the injection device that enabled them to self-inject and maintain their independence."

IDDT investigated the situation and discovered from the MHRA (the Government's own regulatory agency) that a similar, or near identical insulin made by Novo Nordisk, Actraphane, is licensed in the UK and can be prescribed and dispensed under the NHS. The same injection devices are available as for Mixtard 30 and patients can simply change to Actraphane and continue to use the same injection device.

Jenny Hirst added, "Maybe Novo Nordisk have commercial reasons for withholding this information, but Mr Lansley and his Department should have been aware of the situation and informed patients and healthcare professionals that Actraphane is licensed in the UK. Their failure to do so has denied patients the informed choice of treatment to which they are entitled and makes a mockery of the Government's policy of patients being at the "Centre of Care."

IDDT has informed their Members of the availability of Actraphane and the availability of the injection device for people with visual impairment and manual dexterity difficulties. However, they are disappointed that the Department of Health has - to date - failed to provide patients with a fully informed choice of treatment options and also failed to put them at the "Centre of Care."

---

Press releases, papers and documents published on this page are the intellectual property of an organisation unrelated to Central Lobby. We promote their parliamentary and political campaigning activities as they are subscribers to the Central Lobby service.

As such, Central Lobby does not edit, endorse, or attempt to balance the opinions expressed on this page. The content of press releases and other such types of content are the responsibility of the originating organisation.