New medications to treat type 2 diabetes

Abstract

The number of Australians with type 2 diabeteshas tripled since 1981 and continues to increase. It is projected that 1.6 million Australians will have type 2 diabetes by 2030.' Effective treatment of hyperglycaemia is a priority, given that strict glycaemic control reduces the microvascular complicat ions of type 2 diabetes." Epidemiological data fr om the UK suggests that improving glycaemic control wi ll also reduce the risk of macrovascular complications (e.g. cardiovascular disease),' although this is controvers ial and it is recognised that improving glycaemic control is only one of a number of possible strategies to reduce the macrovascular risk associated with diabetes.