Diabetology, UK based company, came out with a solution for all having needle phobia – at least when it comes to the matter of injecting insulin. The company has developed a drug that can be consumed orally. Dr Steve Luzio is the key person behind this new research project.

There are reports from various sources that if this proves to be a success it will be a clean solution for those who have diabetes (at least those have type 2 diabetes). But for the case with type 1 the situation is still uncertain.

Dr Iain Frame of  Diabetes UK is of the opinion that : "There are currently 700,000 people in the UK who take insulin injections, sometimes up to four times a day, so being able to take their insulin orally would have a great impact on their quality of life. This research, however, is still in its early stages. We would like to see further results of how the medication might affect people with diabetes who are eating a normal diet. Also, the research indicates that a large quantity of medication is needed in order to lower blood glucose levels."

The main hurdle in the way to develop an oral medicine is that, the secretions from the stomach and intestine will act upon the drug and makes it futile. Earlier a Taiwanese research team came up with the concept of using a compound found in shrimp shells to shield the drug from the ‘attack’ of these secretions.

But this oral medicine is not yet available commercially. But those who have the needle phobia have one option left over even now – ‘inhaled insulin’ is already available. But this oral medicine is expected to have a wider ramification as it could influence the life style of the diabetic patience if they take the drug twice before the break fast and dinner.

Though the Diabetes UK welcomed the research work, it mentioned that the work was released too early. The type 2 diabetes can be controlled even by dieting and taking oral medicines. So the type 1 needs more attention here.

The research team will submit the results, on the 16 patients, to the American Diabetes Association. And, in a nutshell, it is long way to go…….