Drug for Type 2 diabetes approved

Once-a-day Victoza (liraglutide) can help patients to stabilise their blood sugar levels and is suitable for obese people and some diabetics who are not overweight.

It works by stimulating the release of insulin and reducing appetite.

The drug is different to insulin in its make-up and offers patients a “step” between oral tablets and going on to insulin.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) published draft guidance today saying a 1.2mg dose of the drug each day was suitable for some diabetics.

However, it said there did not appear to be any extra benefit from a higher 1.8mg dose.

Victoza must be taken in combination with other diabetes drugs, according to the Nice guidance, and treatment should only be continued if the patient is benefiting.

Type 2 diabetes is linked to obesity and inactive lifestyles.

Dr Carole Longson, health technology evaluation centre director at Nice, said about 2.5 million people in the UK were living with diabetes – 90 per cent of whom had Type 2 diabetes. “It is a serious, progressive disease, and so we are pleased to be able to recommend liraglutide 1.2 mg daily.”