Hospital part of world-first diabetes trial

Royal Oldham Hospital

PATIENTS from Oldham will be part of the world’s first clinical trial hoping to find an effective and non-addictive drug to relieve diabetic pain.

The trial, taking place at the Royal Oldham Hospital and 10 other UK hospitals, will investigate the potential of an innovative drug for chronic pain conditions, such as diabetic neuropathy.

Pharmaleads, the company leading the clinical trial, is recruiting patients with diabetes from Oldham to take part in the four-week study.

Professor Solomon Tesfaye, vice-chairman of Diabetes UK’s Science and Research Advisory Group, said: “Patients with diabetic neuropathy experience a painful tingling in their nerves, hands and feet, even with well-managed diabetes. With the help of volunteers we may uncover a more effective treatment to manage the pain.”

Anyone who would like to find out more or be referred for inclusion in the trial should speak to their doctor.