Results from the global Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs 2 study (DAWN2™) presented today at a symposium during the World Diabetes Congress of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), show that only 29% of people with diabetes report that their healthcare team ask for their input when making their treatment plans.

Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) and Eli Lilly and Company have announced new data(1) from a Phase IV study evaluating linagliptin (5 mg) as monotherapy and in combination with metformin (1500 or 2000 mg) in treatment-naive adults with newly diagnosed (<12 months) uncontrolled Type 2 Diabetes (T2D). The result showed that linagliptin as monotherapy or in initial combination with metformin achieved clinically significant improvements in glucose control in patients with newly diagnosed T2D and marked hyperglycaemia.

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE: PFE) announced that a wholly-owned Polish subsidiary of Pfizer has acquired the rights to Polocard, a low-dose aspirin (acidum acetylsalicylicum), and the leading over-the-counter (OTC) brand for heart attack prevention in Poland, from ZF Polpharma SA.

Today's symposium of the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development (NFSD) convenes experts to discuss "What does it take to eliminate a disease?" Drawing lessons from previous successful disease control programs, the symposium speakers discuss innovative approaches and advocate for new coordination strategies in disease elimination efforts.

GSK plc [LSE/NYSE: GSK] announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has eased restrictions on patient access to Avandia (rosiglitazone), following an FDA Advisory Committee review in June 2013. GSK welcomes the decision of the FDA and appreciates the Agency's robust review of the science with regard to Avandia.

Novartis has announced the launch of a USD 5 billion share buyback, reflecting the company's confidence in its long-term growth prospects, as well as its commitment to deliver strong shareholder returns. The buyback will start immediately and be executed over two years on the 2nd trading line.

GlaxoSmithKline plc (LSE/NYSE: GSK) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its pandemic Influenza A (H5N1) Virus Monovalent Vaccine, Adjuvanted (also referred to as Q-Pan H5N1 influenza vaccine) for the immunisation of adults 18 and older for the prevention of disease caused by the influenza A virus H5N1 subtype contained in the vaccine.