Type-1 diabetic. I am not sure how much this will change the situation in the richer parts of the world, as tablets still seem inferior to me compared to pump deliver (my current method of choice). As pumps in terms of fast-acting (bolus) insulin will still allow for finer granularity delivery (tablets will come with fixed dosages and most likely never as small as say 0.1 units which is ~1/100 of the dosage I use for a “standard meal”), less delay between injection and effect as it does not pass through your digestive tract, and I suspect (not a medical doctor) that it may be more reliable in terms of uptake as your stomach uptake rate at least for carbohydrates depends on things like what you have eaten earlier during the day. Furthermore, pumps also allow for better control over your long-acting (basal) insulin rates which can be programmed or temporarily altered if you say skip a meal.
However, I still think this can mean a world of difference for those in less sanitary conditions, those who are uncomfortable with having a device attached to them at all times, and those in places where relying on a technology supply chain is not feasible. Heck! Even pump users need to have emergency insulin at hand in case our pumps break; I would take tablets any day over the complexity of injections.
> I am not sure how much this will change the situation in the richer parts of the world, as tablets still seem inferior to me compared to pump deliver (my current method of choice).
I'm not a diabetic, but is there really anything on the market even comparable to what the researchers here are suggesting, that is, dissolved (not swallowed) insulin pill delivery with performance equivalent to rapid-acting injection?
I tend to use between 1 insulin unit and 15 for meals. I don't want to take 15 little pills for that meal with more carbohydrates. What if I need 8 units of insulin for a meal? Do I need to take a 5 unit pill and three 1 unit pills? Too much work, no thanks, let me just take the little shot in all of 3 seconds in my tummy.
I live in Indonesia where the weather can exceed the safe storage temperature for insulin; it is a pain in the ass keeping my extra insulin cold when there's a power storage (unopened insulin needs to stay in the fridge until it's ready to use). So pills would be better than vials for this reason. In terms of every day convenience though, shots really aren't that bad after you've had enough. By a rough estimate, I've given myself over 25,000 shots in my life. That is a lot of used syringes and medical waste, but my point is, shots aren't that big of a deal for most diabetics.
Insulin pens[1] are very convenient. They fit in your pocket, and you just dial the dose, poke yourself, push the button, done. Aside from having to keep them cool, I have no motivation at all to switch to a less convenient system.
However, I still think this can mean a world of difference for those in less sanitary conditions, those who are uncomfortable with having a device attached to them at all times, and those in places where relying on a technology supply chain is not feasible. Heck! Even pump users need to have emergency insulin at hand in case our pumps break; I would take tablets any day over the complexity of injections.