Novo Nordisk joins diabetes prevention alliance

[admin]

Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk has joined a Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance that aims to reduce the risk of people getting diabetes and improve the prospects of people with the disease.

The alliance, which was formed last spring by health insurer UnitedHealth Group Inc., also includes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Walgreen Co. pharmacists. It offers programs that help people with pre-diabetes to prevent the disease and patients with diabetes to control it.

Novo Nordisk, the world's top producer of insulin, will talk with doctors about treatment programs that follow CDC-approved, evidence-based guidelines, UnitedHealth said last week in a statement.

UnitedHealth spokesman Tyler Mason said Novo Nordisk representatives, who already visit physician offices, will work with doctors the insurer identifies as having a large populations of diabetic or pre-diabetic patients.

He said pharmacists also work with doctors to make sure patients keep up with their medications and are having the proper tests done.