No pancreatitis risk seen in Byetta, Januvia drugs-study

Quoted from http://blogs.reuters.com/lewis-krauskopf/2010/06/27/no-pancreatitis-risk-seen-in-byetta-januvia-drugs-study/

No pancreatitis risk seen in Byetta, Januvia drugs-study

Jun 27, 2010 12:29 EDT

NEW YORK, June 27 (Reuters) – Two widely used diabetes
medicines, Januvia and Byetta, pose no additional risk for
cases of inflamed pancreas compared with other diabetes drugs,
according to an analysis of medical claims data released on
Sunday.

The study could boost Januvia, sold by Merck & Co (MRK.N: Quote, Profile, Research),
and Byetta, from Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc (AMLN.O: Quote, Profile, Research) and Eli
Lilly & Co (LLY.N: Quote, Profile, Research). Both drugs are important products for the
companies but have faced concerns that they are linked to acute
pancreatitis, which can be life threatening.

The study also found that diabetics generally are at
increased risk of acute pancreatitis, compared with
non-diabetics, which the study’s author said confirmed previous
research, although the risk remains very low.

The analysis was conducted by pharmacy benefit manager
Medco Health Solutions (MHS.N: Quote, Profile, Research), in association with the
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School. Medco, which
manages benefits and tries to lower drug bills for employers,
insurers and other clients, is conducting studies using its
vast medical claims database as it seeks to raise its profile
as a clinical company.

Dr. Merri Pendergrass, who conducted the study,
acknowledged that it was an observational study of data, as
opposed to the gold standard of a randomized clinical trial.

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