Therapharma, a division of United Laboratories, recently launched its brand of glimepiride, an oral medicine belonging to a class of blood sugar-lowering drugs called sulfonylurea.
Glimepiride is used in type II diabetes, the most common type of diabetes that is found in most patients with diabetes.
Glimepiride lowers blood sugar level by stimulating insulin production after meals, when blood sugar concentration is highest, and controls blood glucose throughout the day.
More specifically, it lowers the glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), a minor component of hemoglobin to which glucose (sugar) is bound.
HbA1c, obtained by a laboratory test, is a useful indicator of how well the blood glucose level has been controlled in the few months, and may be used to monitor the effects of diet, exercise and drug therapy on blood glucose in diabetic patients.
Studies have shown that the complications of diabetes can be delayed or prevented if the HbA1c level could be kept close to seven percent.
Dr. Ruby Go, former president of the Philippine Diabetes Association and Philippine Society of Endocrinology and Metabolism said, "Studies have shown that patients who are using glimepiride four mg or lower were able to hold the HbA1c by as much as 2.4 percent."
Based on the UK Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), a one percent reduction in the A1c will translate into a 40-percent risk reduction in complications such as eye, kidney and nerve problems.
In addition, glimepiride does not accumulate in body and affect kidney function. It has a prolonged duration and taken only once daily.
"We at Therapharma take it as a social and moral responsibility to equip diabetics with the armament that they need to face their personal war against this potentially crippling condition," said John Dumpit, general manager of the company known for making available pharmacoeconomic medicines that are affordable, safe and effective.
The one, two and three mg tablets of Therapharma’s glime—piride are more affordable at P12, P15 and P20, respectively, compared to other anti-diabetes drugs.
Glimepiride is a prescription medicine and available only with a physician’s advice.