TORONTO, March 4, 1996 -- For the first time in 40 years, a new class of medications is available to the 1.35 million Canadians who have Type II diabetes. Prandase(R) (acarbose), a prescription product from Bayer Inc., is now available to treat Type II diabetes (often called non-insulin dependent or adult onset diabetes). Type II diabetes accounts for 90 per cent of diabetes cases.

Since the discovery of insulin 75 years ago, many people have assumed that diabetes has been cured. But diabetes is actually inadequately controlled in Canada. In fact, four out of every 10 people with diabetes will eventually develop serious complications, costing the Canadian health care system over $3 billion annually. The need for new treatment options is clear.

Prevent elevations of blood sugar after meals

Prandase is the only oral treatment available in Canada that specifically decreases the rise in blood sugar levels after meals. People with Type II diabetes are variably resistant to the action of insulin, the body's regulator of glucose (or blood sugar). Blood sugar levels are too high (hyperglycemia) and cause damage to the body. In particular, people with Type II diabetes have high blood sugar after meals. Without adequate treatment, they eventually may have elevated blood sugar much of the day.

The initial treatment of Type II diabetes is to maintain a healthy diet and increase exercise to regulate and lower blood sugar levels. When diet and exercise fail (as they do in 70 to 80 per cent of patients), oral medication or insulin is added.

The goal of treatment is to safely prevent elevations of blood sugar, while avoiding low blood sugar. ``Our aim is to keep blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible, including after meals, in order to reduce the complications of diabetes,'' said Dr. Keith Dawson, Professor of Medicine at the University of British Columbia.

How Prandase works

The first in a new class of drugs called alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, Prandase works differently from other oral medicines. Until the availability of Prandase, other classes of oral medications for Type II diabetes either stimulated the pancreas to make more insulin or increased the effectiveness of insulin.

Prandase acts in the small intestine to slow down the breakdown of carbohydrates (starch) following a meal. It delays sugar absorption and results in a smoothing and lowering of the high glucose levels experienced after meals. Prandase does not cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia) or weight gain, a problem with some of the other oral medications. It can also be safely combined with most other drugs - a significant benefit for the older population who often have several chronic conditions requiring treatment.

Prandase is being welcomed by Canadian physicians who have used it here in clinical trials and have heard of its use in other countries. ``The other oral medications do not work for everyone. Prandase gives us a new option, one that works completely differently. It will help us in our goal to prevent the complications of diabetes and thus reduce the costs of this disease to the health care system,'' said Dr. Robert Josse, Chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto.

Prandase is also seen as a welcome additional treatment option by Canadians living with diabetes. According to Donna Lillie, Director of Research and Educational Services with the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA), the CDA has been receiving calls from people asking for information on acarbose since the U.S. announced its approval in late 1995. ``We've received many calls from our members inquiring about acarbose. People with Type II diabetes are very interested in treatment options,'' said Lillie.

Prandase has been available in Europe and Asia for several years. In the U.S., where it received government approval in September 1995, it is called Precose. It is the most widely used drug for the treatment of Type II diabetes in some European countries, including Germany.

Provincial coverage

Prandase is available for sale now in Canadian pharmacies, although it is not yet covered by provincial formularies. Bayer Inc. is hopeful that provincial formularies will recognize the value of Prandase and include it on provincial plans across Canada so that it will be available to Canadian seniors (60 per cent of people with Type II diabetes claim coverage from provincial government health insurance). ``The absence of hypoglycemia associated with acarbose makes it an excellent choice for the older diabetes patient and I therefore expect that inclusion of this drug on provincial formularies would be of great benefit for our patients,'' said Dr. Lawrence Leiter, Staff Endocrinologist at St. Michael's Hospital. The cost of Prandase is between 68 cents to 94 cents per day.

Complications of Type II diabetes

Approximately 20 per cent of the Canadian population over 65 years has diabetes and this number is expected to double by the year 2000. An additional 50 per cent has diabetes and doesn't know it.

Diabetes is responsible for 25 per cent of cardiac surgery, as much as 40 per cent of kidney failure, and half of all non-traumatic amputations. It is the leading cause of new adult blindness. It is estimated that one out of every seven healthcare dollars, or over $3 billion annually, is spent on the complications of diabetes in Canada.

For further information: or the name of a regional diabetes specialist, contact Nancy Shea/Andrew Weir, Veritas Communications Inc., (416) 482-2248. If you or your audience would like more information on diabetes, please call: Canadian Diabetes Association 1-800-BANTING.