Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Health Groups Recommend Obesity Surgery As Treatment For Diabetes
International diabetes organizations are calling for weight-loss surgery to become a more routine treatment option for diabetes, even for some patients who are only mildly obese. Obesity and Type 2 diabetes are a deadly pair, and numerous studies show stomach-shrinking operations can dramatically improve diabetes. (Neergard, 5/24)
In other news, an advisory panel unanimously voices support for a new diabetes drug —
A U.S. advisory panel on Tuesday recommended approval of a new diabetes drug made by Novo Nordisk A/S that combines two of its existing treatments in a fixed-dose combination designed to be both effective and convenient. The panel voted 16-0 that the Food and Drug Administration should approve the drug, iDegLira, for patients with type 2 diabetes. The FDA is not obliged to follow the advice of its advisory panels but typically does so. (Clarke, 5/25)
