I’ve never claimed that animal insulin was the best product in the world, only that those who find that they can’t survive on rDNA, or who have a better quality of life using animal products should have freedom of choice. This has been denied them by the “capitalist market” you so enthusiastically support.

You state that when there is no demand, there is no product. But as we continue to see reported, market leaders can manipulate numbers so well that Orwellian double-speak prevails . . . white is black and good is bad. There was both demand and NEED for products that were systematically withdrawn from the market under the guise of ‘business decisions’ and ‘declining market share.’ When doctors were told that the removal of animal insulins would become reality, they could either switch their patients ‘now or later.’ Those who chose the former were instrumental in shifting market numbers, creating a self-fulfilling model. This was nothing more than skillful market manipulation . . . by a corporation who chose to exercise power BECAUSE IT COULD.

And if you think a company should burn through $1 billion dollars a year so 2000 people can benefit from a drug that could be replaced with shots — you and I have different views of what a capitalist society is. Now if this was a life saving product it is a different arguement. As you have found out, when there is no demand, there is no product.

no interest in Lilly, or any other company. sold all my stock - there are better places to be in the market right now.

Dennis–Sorry you have discovered that “freedom of choice” is well-trumped by pharma’s “market economy” and blockbuster mentality.

But seriously, it is a shame this med was taken off the market - but that is the market economy we live in. Pfizer spent billions and I believe they were selling about $20 million/qtr. Pfizer is a big company, but no one can lose $1billion/year for a disease that is still treatable with traditional insulin. But there is hope, there are others in the pipeline getting close to market - hopefully for you and the 3 others on Exubra it will be soon. I believe there are also many small companies involved that would love $100 million in sales and might stick with it. Although if long-term lung safety is not addressed, not sure if any will make it forever.

Good luck

Let me start out by asking you this question.

Is someone in your family a diabetic or do you know of someone that is a diabetic? I will bet that everyone that reads this will answer YES to that question!

I have been a diabetic dependent on taking insulin shots for the past sixty years. I have used about every type of insulin that has ever been put on the market plus I have used an insulin pump for a short time. I was taking four shots a day and after seeing an Exubera advertisement on TV I checked with my Doctor and he wrote a prescription for me to start using Exubera.

Exubra is the first diabetic treatment of its kind where you inhale the insulin into your mouth from the Exubera Inhaler instead of taking shots. Type I and Type II diabetics can both use this medicine.

After sixty years of dealing with this disease I feel that Exubera is one of the most advanced, non-invasive methods ever devised for diabetics to take insulin. This system gives diabetics a more realistic, normal life quality as opposed to taking shots everyday. It is a lot quicker to insert a blister into the inhaler and inhale it as opposed to getting out a syringe, filling it with insulin and giving yourself an injection.

I was on Exubera for a short time and Pfizer Pharmaceutical sent me a letter announcing that it will no longer be making EXUBERA available to patients.

“ This decision was not based on any safety problems with Exubera. Exubera is a safe and effective medicine and the feedback we have had from Exubera patients has been very positive. However, Pfizer has made this decision because too few patients are taking Exubera and, since there are other medicines available that lower blood sugar, Pfizer will stop providing Exubera.”

Making money and showing a profit is what companies are in business for,right? This product was on the market less than a year!

It is my understanding that Bayer is investing a large sum of money into Pfizer for this new inhaled drug delivery system that will treat pulmonary disease, migraine headaches and antibiotics. My question is: Why get the cart ahead of the horse, if they already have a working system for insulin why force all of the people that are taking Exubera back to taking shots again?

In my opinion Exubera was the only product on the market that gave diabetics that small ray of hope to live a more normal life.