Novo Nordisk Donates $50,000 to Diabetes Hands Foundation in Recognition of the Drive the Switch Program's Inaugural Year

(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) PRINCETON, NJ -  November 9, 2011 - Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care, announced that it has donated $50,000 to the Diabetes Hands Foundation  (DHF), a non-profit organization that raises diabetes awareness and connects people touched by the condition. The donation recognizes the success of the Drive the Switch program, which has motivated more than 10,000 people to pledge to talk to loved ones and their doctor about options for insulin delivery, like the prefilled insulin pen device, FlexPen®.

"Many people with diabetes don't realize that they have options when it comes to their diabetes management," said Manny Hernandez, President, DHF. "This campaign has done a great job of encouraging patients and their caregivers to have that dialogue with their health care professional and determine the best treatment option for them."   In March, Novo Nordisk partnered with IZOD IndyCar Series driver and type 1 diabetes patient Charlie Kimball to launch Drive the Switch. As part of the campaign, people can pledge to speak with their physician by visiting www.DrivetheSwitch.com, or by signing a replica of Charlie Kimball's race car at select IndyCar races and diabetes patient expos. In recognition of the positive response from the patient community, Novo Nordisk is making a donation to help the DHF improve the ways in which they connect people with diabetes.   Diagnosed with diabetes in 2007, Kimball uses Levemir® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) FlexPen® and NovoLog® (insulin aspart [rDNA origin] injection) to help manage his condition, along with closely monitoring his blood sugar.   "When I was first diagnosed, I wasn't sure if I'd be able to ever race again," said Kimball, who drives the No. 83 Levemir® and NovoLog® FlexPen® Honda for Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing. "I'm living proof that you can pursue your dreams by being proactive in your diabetes management, and I look forward to motivating even more patients to talk to their doctor about treatment options."   To learn more about the program and get information about Novo Nordisk treatment options like the prefilled insulin device Levemir® FlexPen® visit www.DrivetheSwitch.com. You can also follow Kimball and his work with Novo Nordisk on Twitter with @racewithinsulin.   Novo Nordisk offers a comprehensive line of insulin analog products that are available for use with the FlexPen®, including Levemir® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection) FlexPen®, NovoLog® [insulin aspart (rDNA origin) injection] FlexPen®, and NovoLog® Mix 70/30 (70% insulin aspart protamine suspension and 30% insulin aspart injection, [rDNA origin]) FlexPen®. FlexPen® is covered on more than 90 percent of insurance plans.   About Levemir® (insulin detemir [rDNA origin] injection)   Indications and Usage:   Levemir® is a man-made long-acting insulin that is used to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.   Important Safety Information:   Do not take Levemir® if your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to anything in Levemir®. If you take too much Levemir® your blood sugar may fall too low.   Check your blood sugar levels. Ask your health care provider what your blood sugars should be and when you should check your blood sugar levels. Alcohol, including beer and wine, may affect your blood sugar when you take Levemir®.   Do not change the type of insulin you use unless told to do so by your health care provider. The amount of insulin you take as well as the best time for you to take your insulin may need to change if you take a different type of insulin.   Never mix Levemir® with other insulin products or use in an insulin pump.   Needles and Levemir® FlexPen® must not be shared.   Tell your health care provider about all medicines you take and all of your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your Levemir® dose may change if you take other medicines.   The most common side effect of Levemir® is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Other possible side effects include reactions at the injection site (like redness, swelling and itching), and allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you experience signs of serious allergic reaction such as body rash, trouble with your breathing, fast heartbeat, or sweating. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further information.   Please see www.levemir-us.com for Levemir® complete Prescribing Information.   About NovoLog® (insulin aspart [rDNA origin] injection)   Indications and Usage:   NovoLog® is a man-made insulin that is used to control high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes mellitus.   Important Safety Information:   Do not take NovoLog® if your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to anything in NovoLog®. If you take too much NovoLog® your blood sugar may fall too low.   NovoLog® is a fast-acting insulin. You should eat a meal within 5 to 10 minutes after using NovoLog® to avoid low blood sugar. Do not inject NovoLog® if you do not plan to eat right after using NovoLog®. Check your blood sugar levels. Ask your health care provider what your blood sugars should be and when you should check your blood sugar levels. Alcohol, including beer and wine, may affect your blood sugar when you take NovoLog®.   Do not change the type of insulin you use unless told to do so by your health care provider. The amount of insulin you take as well as the best time for you to take your insulin may need to change if you take a different type of insulin.   Do not mix NovoLog® with any other insulins when used in a pump or with any insulins other than NPH when used with injections by syringe. Needles and NovoLog® FlexPen® must not be shared.   Tell your health care provider about all medicines you take and all of your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Your NovoLog® dose may change if you take other medicines.   NovoLog® has not been studied in children with type 2 diabetes or in children with type 1 diabetes under the age of two.   The most common side effect of NovoLog® is low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Other possible side effects include reactions at the injection site (like redness, swelling and itching), and allergic reactions. Get medical help right away if you experience signs of serious allergic reaction such as body rash, trouble with your breathing, fast heartbeat, or sweating. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for further information.   Please see www.novolog.com for NovoLog® complete Prescribing Information.

About NovoLog® Mix 70/30 (70% insulin aspart protamine suspension and 30% insulin aspart injection, [rDNA origin])

  Indications and Usage:   NovoLog® Mix 70/30 (70% insulin aspart protamine suspension and 30% insulin aspart injection, [rDNA origin]) is a man-made insulin that is used to control high blood sugar in adults with diabetes mellitus.   It is not known if NovoLog® Mix 70/30 is safe or effective in children.   Important Safety Information:   Do not take NovoLog® Mix 70/30 if your blood sugar is too low (hypoglycemia) or if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in NovoLog® Mix 70/30. If you take too much NovoLog® Mix 70/30, your blood sugar may fall too low (hypoglycemia).   NovoLog® Mix 70/30 starts acting fast. If you have Type 1 diabetes, inject it up to 15 minutes before you eat a meal. If you have Type 2 diabetes, you may inject NovoLog® Mix 70/30 up to 15 minutes before or after starting your meal.   Check your blood sugar levels regularly. Ask your healthcare provider what your blood sugars should be and when you should check your blood sugar levels. Do not make any changes to your dose or type of insulin unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Alcohol, including beer and wine, may affect your blood sugar when you take NovoLog® Mix 70/30.   Before using NovoLog® Mix 70/30, tell your health care provider about all medicines you take and all of your medical conditions, including if you have kidney or liver problems or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not known if NovoLog® Mix 70/30 will harm your unborn baby or pass into breast milk. Your NovoLog® Mix 70/30 dose may change if you take other medicines.   Do not inject NovoLog® Mix 70/30 with any other insulin products or use in an insulin pump.   Do not share needles, insulin pens or syringes with others.   The most common side effects of NovoLog® Mix 70/30 include skin thickening or pits at the injection site (lipodystrophy), weight gain, swelling of your hands and feet, and vision changes. Serious adverse events may include low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), low potassium in your blood (hypokalemia), local allergic reactions at the injection site (like redness, swelling, and itching), and whole body reactions. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms of an allergic reactions: a rash over the whole body, have trouble breathing, fast heart rate, sweating or if you feel faint. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information.   Please see www.novologmix70-30.com for complete NovoLog® Mix 70/30 Prescribing Information.   About Diabetes Hands Foundation   The Diabetes Hands Foundation (DHF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that connects people touched by diabetes and raises diabetes awareness through programs such as No-Sugar Added Poetry and the Big Blue Test. Through its online communities (TuDiabetes.org in English, EsTuDiabetes.org in Spanish) and its other social media channels, DHF offers support and information to nearly 200,000 people every month.   About Novo Nordisk   Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company with 88 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within hemophilia care, growth hormone therapy and hormone replacement therapy. For more information, visit www.novonordisk-us.com.   About Diabetes   In the United States, 25.8 million people have diabetes, a condition in which the body does not produce enough or properly use insulin, the hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into energy needed for daily life.   Prescribing information for Levemir®, NovoLog®, and NovoLog® Mix 70/30 are available by contacting Novo Nordisk at 1-800-727-6500 or visiting Levemir-us.com, NovoLog.com, and NovoLogMix70-30.com.   FlexPen®, Levemir® and NovoLog® are registered trademarks of Novo Nordisk A/S.   For further information please contact:Sarah Spielvogel, Novo Nordisk, +1-609-786-4278, sspv@novonordisk.com.   NOVO18534