What is Type 2 diabetes? 

• Body not able to control sugars – sugars become  in body high 

• Basically due to the pancreas wearing out over time not producing enough insulin or insulin becoming ineffective. 
• We are seeing more cases in younger people especially Māori and Pacific. 

How big a problem is it and what harm to the body does it cause? 

• Thought to be approximately 300,000 in NZ living with type 2 diabetes. 

• Health system cost 2.1 billion year – 0.67% GDP! 
• Individual cost: increased rates renal failure, heart disease, blindness, leg amputation, if not controlled. 

What are the new medications? 

• Diet, exercise and  weight reduction  central to treatment. Medications are needed such as metformin and insulin.   

• Now available two new medications: 
• Jardiance daily tablet: causes us to ‘pee’ sugar out of the body when we urinate. 
• Trulicity- weekly injection: mimics a hormone that means we feel full and eat less and absorb sugar within body and can lose weight. 

Why are they important? 

• Gives more treatment options in addition to metformin and insulin.   
• Major differences don’t just lower sugar in body: also protect kidney from damage , and reduce chances of heart disease, and weight reduction: first time ever! 
• In Higher doses Trulicity the weekly injection:  has been used overseas for weight reduction ( Ozempic, Saxena New Zealand – not funded here) – has been in news 
• Lead  to worldwide  shortages at times that have affected New Zealand. 

What should we do? 

• Important over age of 40 have regular blood sugar tests to see if developing problem. 
• Need to review regularly with GP and nurse: diet, exercise in combination with medication is important. 

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