The development of oral insulin: Can a pill replace an insulin injection?

Ramachandra Naik, MD (photo by Jim Howe) Ramachandra Naik, MD
(photo by Jim Howe) For diabetics who require insulin, treatment
has involved painful injections. The future may hold an
alternative. For diabetics who require insulin, treatment has
involved painful injections. The future may hold an alternative.
Ramachandra Naik, MD Ramachandra Naik, MD, tells about a national
study that's underway involving a pill form of insulin. Naik is a
professor of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at Upstate and
the assistant dean for translational and clinical research
programs. The medication being studied is made by Oramed
Pharmaceuticals and designed for people with Type 2 diabetes
--  the more common form of the disease, formerly called
adult-onset diabetes. Insulin has been injected into the
bloodstream because if it were taken by mouth, the digestive system
would break it down before it could be put to use by the body. Naik
explains that the new pill is has a protective coating, allowing
the insulin to enter the bloodstream once it arrives in the
intestinal tract., tells about a national study that's underway
involving a pill form of insulin. Naik is a professor of
endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at Upstate and the assistant
dean for translational and clinical research programs. The
medication being studied is made by Oramed Pharmaceuticals and
designed for people with Type 2 diabetes --  the more common
form of the disease, formerly called adult-onset diabetes. Insulin
has been injected into the bloodstream because if it were taken by
mouth, the digestive system would break it down before it could be
put to use by the body. Naik explains that the new pill is has a
protective coating, allowing the insulin to enter the bloodstream
once it arrives in the intestinal tract.