Formed last spring by health insurer UnitedHealth Group, the alliance is anchored by Diabetes Prevention Program and Diabetes Control Program.
Both of them have been tested through controlled trials or pilot projects with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), YMCA of the USA, Indiana University, clinical centers, employers and retail pharmacies.
The Diabetes Prevention Program addresses the link between obesity and diabetes.
The Diabetes Control Program provides access for people with diabetes to local pharmacists who are trained to help them manage their condition and improve their adherence to their physicians’ treatment plans.
UnitedHealth spokesman Tyler Mason said Novo Nordisk representatives, who already visit physician offices, will work with doctors the insurer identifies as having a large populations of diabetic or pre-diabetic patients.