�FOOD FOR
THOUGHT
Artwork:�
Dancing fruits and vegetables
We invite blurbs and tidbit articles for
inclusion in
this column.�
Materials received may be edited and used as
space permits.�
Products and services included in this
column are for information only and do not imply
endorsement
by the Diabetes Action Network of the NFB.��
BEEF-SOURCE INSULIN
Both U.S. insulin manufacturers, Eli Lilly and
Company,
and Novo Nordisk Pharmaceuticals Inc, have
ceased production
of beef-source insulins, and are winding down
their
production of pork-based insulins as well.� To help supply
those diabetics who desire an animal-source
insulin, CP
Pharmaceuticals, a British-based drug
manufacturer, has
announced it will increase its production of its
Hypurin
beef-source insulin.
CP Pharmaceuticals has also announced it is
filing for
approval to market its insulin products in the
United States
and Canada.�
Until such regulatory approval is granted,
diabetics in the U.S. who wish to use this
product must go
through formal personal import procedures.�
CP Pharmaceuticals has established a special
toll-free
number for consumers in the U.S. and
Canada:� 011-800-667-
55555.�
Write to them:� CP
Pharmaceuticals Limited, Ash Road
North, Wrexham Industrial Estate, Wrexham, LL13
9UF, United
Kingdom.
BOARD MEMBERS
The Diabetes Action Network of the National
Federation of
the Blind.
President:�
Ed Bryant
Columbia, MO
First Vice President:� Eric Woods
Denver, CO
Second Vice President:� Sandie Addy
Prescott Valley, AZ
Treasurer:�
Bruce Peters
Akron, OH
Secretary:�
Sally York
Castro Valley, CA
Board Member-At-Large:� Gisela Distel
Albany, NY
Board Member-At-Large:� Paul Price
Valley Center, CA
INSULIN INFORMATION
In Februrary of this year, Novo Nordisk
Pharmaceuticals
announced it was discontinuing its complete line
of purified
pork insulins.�
Novo reminds us this process, of switching
from animal-derived to human insulin, has been
underway for
some time, and that its last supplies of Lente
Purified Pork
insulin expired in February.� They state they will maintain
product availability of Regular and NPH Purified
Pork
insulins through July 2000--but no further--so
they
encourage all doctors to "review your
medical records as
soon as possible to identify patients who
currently use the
insulin products listed above, and begin
appropriate
transfer to an alternate insulin therapy."
If you are using Novo Nordisk animal source
insulins,
you need to do just that--talk to your doctor
about transfer
to an alternate insulin therapy.
ELECTIONS COMING UP
At this year's national convention in Atlanta,
Georgia,
elections will be held to fill our Diabetes
Action Network
divisional board positions.� These are one-year terms,
running from July 1, 2000 to June 30, 2001.� Positions to be
filled are:�
President, First Vice-President, Second
Vice-President, Secretary,� Treasurer, and two Board
Members-at-Large.� If you are interested in a board
position, or know someone who you think would do
a good job,
then contact our Diabetes Action Network
President, Ed
Bryant. Yes, hard work and dedication are
prerequisites for
board positions--but one must lead by good
example.
EQUAL(r) FOR YOUR DIABETES
As a proud sponsor of the American Diabetes
Association
for 16 years, Equal has worked closely with the
diabetes
community, sponsoring special programs and
events.� What's
more, experts agree that aspartame--the
sweetening
ingredient in Equal--doesn't affect glucose or
insulin
levels.�
No wonder it's recognized as acceptable as a
diabetes meal plan by the ADA!� For further information,
visit the Equal website at http://www.equal.com
or call 1-
800-323-5316.
PROTECTIVE SHOES FOR DIABETICS
We have been asked to announce:� Medicare Part B will
pay for one pair of protective shoes for
diabetics (All
diabetics, one pair per year), along with three
pairs of
special shock-absorbing insoles (materials such
as
plastizote).�
Medicare also pays for custom inserts (after
partial amputation) to ensure better shoe fit.
To find out more, contact:� CHOICE Healthcare, PO Box
99, Charleston, AR 72933; telephone:� 1-888-442-3390.
ABOUT PROPULSID AND AVANDIA
ISMP Medication Safety Alert reports two
findings of
interest to diabetics.� In the first, Avandia
(rosiglitazone), prescribed for type 2 diabetes,
has been
implicated in the same sort of liver damage as
its
competitor Rezulin.� The paper notes that once the drug was
discontinued, the man's liver returned to
health, and the
authors recommend closely monitoring a patient's
liver
enzymes, throughout therapy, and discontinuing
the drug if
difficulties are noted (these instructions are
identical to
those for Rezulin).
In the second note, the newsletter relays a
warning
from FDA Medwatch, a "watchdog" agency
of the U.S.
Government, about Propulsid (cisapride) a
medication often
prescribed for autonomic
neuropathy/gastroparesis.� The
study warns that Propulsid is contraindicated in
patients
with serum electrolyte disorders, so patients
treated with
diuretics need to be closely followed.
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices
(ISMP);
telephone: 215-947-7797; website:� http://www.ismp.org
JEWISH MATERIALS
We have been asked to announce:� The Jewish Heritage
for the Blind is pleased to announce the
availability of
many sacred texts in large print.� For ordering information,
please call, fax, or write to:� The Jewish Heritage for the
Blind, Department of Large Print Publications,
1655 East
24th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11229; telephone:� (718) 601-9128;
fax:�
(718) 338-0653.
ARTICLES NEEDED
If you have diabetes, are a family member or
friend of
a diabetic, or a health professional with an
interest in
diabetes, we invite you to submit an article for
publication
in the VOICE OF THE DIABETIC.
Our philosophy regarding diabetes is
positive.� Do you
have an inspiring, enlightening story?� We, the Diabetes
Action Network of the National Federation of the
Blind, seek
to show people they are not alone, and do have
options,
regardless of diabetic complications.� If you have
experienced ramifications, others, who may be
facing the
same side-effects, could benefit from what you
have to say.
Perhaps you have not experienced
complications--your
unique insight, coping strategies, and lifestyle
can still
inspire others.�
Are you a relative, a friend, or a health
professional?�
More than 280,382 VOICE readers could benefit
from your story.
For information and article submission
guidelines,
contact:�
VOICE OF THE DIABETIC, 811 Cherry Street, Suite
309, Columbia, MO 65201; telephone: (573)
875-8911.
HEAR YE, HEAR YE, A RAFFLE
The Diabetes Action Network of the National
Federation
of the Blind reaches out and provides support
and
information to thousands of people.� Because it costs to
operate this valuable network and to produce the
VOICE OF
THE DIABETIC, we must generate funds to help
cover these
expenses.�
Our Diabetes Action Network has elected to hold a
raffle, which will be coordinated by our division
treasurer,
Bruce Peters.
THE GRAND PRIZE WILL BE $500!� The winning ticket will
be drawn, and the winner's name announced, on
July 7, 2000,
at the banquet held during the annual convention
of the
National Federation of the Blind.
Raffle tickets cost $1 each, or a book of six
may be
purchased for $5.� Tickets may be purchased from state
representatives of our Diabetes Action Network
or by
contacting the VOICE Editorial Office, 811
Cherry Street,
Suite 309, Columbia, MO 65201; telephone:� (573) 875-8911.
Anyone interested in selling tickets should also
contact the
VOICE Editorial Office.� Tickets are available now!� Names
of persons who sell 50 tickets or more will be
announced in
the VOICE.
Please make checks payable to the National
Federation
of the Blind.�
Money and sold raffle ticket stubs must be
received at the VOICE office no later than June
10, 2000, or
they can be personally delivered to Raffle
Chairman Bruce
Peters, at this year's NFB convention in
Atlanta, Georgia.
This raffle is open to anyone age 18 or older,
and the
holder of the lucky raffle ticket need not be
present to
win.�
Each ticket sold is a donation, helping keep our
Diabetes Action Network moving forward.