Diabetes management draws drug company support

Diabetes research at Western is getting a huge boost from several Canadian pharmaceutical companies. After a $500,000 ift in December 2008 from Pfizer Canada, Novo Nordisk Canada Inc., sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. and Merck Frosst Canada have also come on board, adding a total of $1.25 million to the National Diabetes Management Strategy, a research partnership between the University of Western Ontario and the Canadian Diabetes Association. This strategy has great potential to improve the quality of life for millions of Canadians with diabetes and to reduce the $13 billion spent annually by the Government of Canada on complications arising from this chronic condition. Dr. Stewart Harris is the lead investigator in the Strategy and holds the Canadian Diabetes Association Chair in Diabetes Management at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. The chair is a cornerstone of the national strategy and support from these companies will propel the research of Harris and colleagues. Last year, Harris was named first holder of the chair, established with a $1-million commitment from the Canadian Diabetes Association (CDA) and Western. The chair was established to develop and evaluate evidence-based models of optimal diabetes management, and to advance prevention and treatment of diabetes, with the ultimate goal of improving the lives of about two million Canadians diagnosed with the disease, and millions of others at risk. “Today, diabetes takes an enormous toll around the world, in terms of personal health and in the financial burden it places on our health care system,” says Harris, whose research has shown that half of Canadians with diabetes are not properly controlling their disease. “Projections show we can expect dramatic increases in the future,” he adds. “These contributions recognize the importance of investing in research to help better identify and close the gap in diabetes and health care delivery.” Novo Nordisk Canada Inc. made an expendable gift of $500,000 to the National Diabetes Management Strategy. The company is a focused healthcare company, with the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry. It is also a leader in areas such as coagulation disorders, growth disorders and hormone replacement therapy. Sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. has made a total gift of $500,000 with $250,000 endowed in the CDA Chair in Diabetes Management and $250,000 directed to the expendable portion of the CDA Chair in Diabetes Management. Headquartered in Laval Quebec, it is the Canadian affiliate of the sanofi-aventis Group, one of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies. Another leading pharmaceutical company, Merck Frosst Canada has made an unrestricted contribution of $250,000 towards the National Diabetes Management Strategy. Eli Lilly Canada Inc. is part of the 10th largest pharmaceutical company in the world. They have donated $200,000 (endowed) to support the Chair.