New Diabetes Drug Could Save 20,000 Lives Annually by Cutting Early Death Risk by 24%

A new wave of hope has emerged for millions living with type 2 diabetes as a study reveals that widely prescribing SGLT-2 inhibitors, a newer class of medications, could save thousands of lives in the UK each year. These once-daily tablets, including canagliflozin, dapagliflozin, empagliflozin, and ertugliflozin, work by helping the kidneys remove excess glucose through urine, effectively lowering blood sugar levels.

Researchers from University College London (UCL) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) analyzed data from 60,000 patients across the UK. Their findings showed that those prescribed SGLT-2 inhibitors had a 24% lower risk of premature death over an average follow-up of three years compared to those taking other blood sugar-lowering drugs.

With around three million people receiving treatment for type 2 diabetes in the UK, the study suggests that up to 20,000 deaths could be prevented annually by increasing the use of these drugs. According to Dr. David Ryan, a clinical pharmacologist and PhD student at UCL, “Our study demonstrates that SGLT-2 inhibitors are effective across a broader spectrum of type 2 diabetes patients than previously understood. This supports NICE’s new guidance recommending these drugs as a first-line treatment alongside metformin—a shift poised to impact millions.”

Diabetes affects 4.6 million people in the UK, with approximately 90% having type 2 diabetes. Moreover, an estimated 1.3 million people remain undiagnosed. In a landmark update to diabetes care guidelines, NICE has endorsed SGLT-2 inhibitors as a primary treatment option, especially for patients who cannot tolerate metformin. Their analysis also found these drugs are currently under-prescribed, particularly among women, the elderly, and Black patients.

Beyond blood sugar control, evidence shows SGLT-2 inhibitors also offer heart and kidney protection. Dr. Patrick Bidulka from LSHTM emphasized the significance of the study published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, stating, “This research highlights the power of electronic health records to complement randomized controlled trials, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes.”