A different study of diabetes drugs showed that Avandia and its competitor Actos are neither better nor worse than injected insulin in preventing death from cardiovascular complications of type 2 diabetes. The study was partially funded by the National Institutes of Health and lasted five years. During that time, 11.8 % of those on Actos or Avandia died, compared to 12.1 % of those on insulin. There is no statistical difference between these treatments. The investigators were disappointed that there was no clear benefit from the newer and more expensive diabetes drugs.
[American Diabetes Association scientific meeting, June, 2009]
