State-of-the-art disposable insulin pen available for type I and II diabetics in the UAE

In addition, Sanofi-aventis organized two symposiums for physicians, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, on the 14th and 15th of October, discussing various methods of diabetes management.

In January 2007, the American Diabetes Association (ADA) released the new ADA Guidelines used to develop a treatment procedure to help physicians choose the most appropriate therapies for lowering blood glucose levels in people with type 2 diabetes.

One of the major features endorsed by the ADA guidelines is the early addition of insulin therapy in patients who do not meet target sugar levels. 72 Specialists in the field of Endocrinology and Diabetes from the Middle East region were certified by the ADA to present this program in their home country.

According to recent media reports, 1 out of every 4 people in the UAE is diabetic, and there is a staggering 25% prevalence rate among UAE nationals. Given the high rate of diabetes locally, and the recent release of the new ADA Guidelines, the UAE is the first country in the GCC to receive SoloSTAR and will soon be followed by Kuwait.

SoloSTAR is a new, easy-to-use disposable pen for use with the 24-hour insulin LANTUS or/and the rapid-acting insulin APIDRA. The pen was given EMEA approval in September 2006 and FDA approval in April 2007; it is currently available in over 21 countries around the world. In February 14th, 2008, the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design awarded SoloSTAR the 2007 Good Design Award.

"Type 2 diabetes is a growing epidemic in the UAE, it is our duty as specialists to explore all means to manage this disease." said Dr. Hisham Mahmoud, Sanofi-aventis Medical Director, United Arab Emirates.
He added:

"There is a general misconception about insulin therapy among patients in the Middle East; they might assume that only advanced cases of diabetes succumb to this kind of therapy. Initiating insulin immediately if patients are not achieving target glycemia, will allow better control of the disease."

For some people with diabetes, self-injection can be a barrier to acceptance of insulin therapy. When choosing a specific insulin pen for an individual patient, clinicians consider the patient's insulin regimen, lifestyle, and other factors that may affect the ability to use a particular device, such as manual dexterity and visual acuity. Approximately 58% of diabetics have limited joint mobility, therefore certain characteristics of a given insulin pen may make it preferable and more acceptable for patients.

"Insulin therapy for people with type 2 diabetes is generally initiated very late in the course of the disease, resulting in the risk of increase of diabetes-related organs damage", explained Professor Julio Rosenstock, Director of the Dallas Diabetes and Endocrine Center and Clinical Professor of Medicine. "Easy-to-use pens such as SoloSTAR bring greater flexibility for the patients and an opportunity for earlier initiation of insulin therapy which may contribute to better glycaemic control".