An inhaled form of insulin won federal approval yesterday, offering the first alternative to injections for millions of people with diabetes since the drug was introduced in the 1920’s. The new inhaler could offer more convenience and less pain for many of the roughly five million Americans already using insulin, diabetes experts say. Analysts predict that the therapy, called Exubera and sold by Pfizer, will be popular, with worldwide sales of as much as $2 billion a year by 2010. Pfizer said it planned to begin selling Exubera this summer. But some doctors say they are concerned that Exubera’s risks to the lungs have not been properly tested, especially because Exubera works no better than injected insulin at controlling blood sugar. In clinical trials, Exubera caused a slight reduction in patients’ ability to breathe. The Food and Drug Administration is recommending that patients have their lung function checked before starting Exubera and every 6 to 12 months afterward. Assuming Exubera proves safe for long-term use, the therapy could have a big impact on public health by overcoming the reluctance of some Type 2 diabetics to use insulin. Insulin is the most reliable method of controlling […]