BMJ: industry, regulators downplay antidiabetic concerns

The British Medical Journal published a report that says companies have not done "critical safety studies" to address concerns that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors -- collectively known as incretin mimetics -- could cause pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. The report also notes that regulators have not requested such studies. The report follows announcements in March by both FDA and EMA that the agencies are investigating data showing the Type II diabetes therapies may be associated with an increased risk of pancreatitis and pre-cancerous cellular changes called pancreatic duct metaplasia (see BioCentury, March 26). ...