UK company Diabetology working with experts at Cardiff University claims to have solved a very difficult problem with Oral Insulin, which may result in patients being able to take a pill instead of having to inject their insulin.

The capsule has a special coating so protecting the drug from acids in the stomach allowing it to pass into the small intestine where it is absorbed. Other scientists have been looking at ways to deliver insulin by mouth in this kind of way including a Taiwanese project using a chemical found in shrimp shells.

Diabetes UK have welcomed the news but have warned that the findings are at a very early stage and should be treated with caution. There are currently around 700,000 people in the UK who are injecting insulin and being able to take it orally would make a great impact on their quality of life.

Source : BBC News Online
Date : 22/06/2007