Dr. John Shigo, a university lecturer, has once again come to the defence of a new drug to combat diabetes, a potential killer.

Dr. Shigo lashed out against local physician Dr. Wilbert Warner, who delivered a different view of the "wonder drug''.

Dr. Warner said that Rezulin would not revolutionise diabetes treatment.

"It isn't a wonder drug,'' Dr. Warner said. "It's just one of many drugs being developed.'' Dr. Warner, however, admitted that Rezulin could be useful for some sufferers of diabetes. But he refused to label it a "wonder drug''.

"It was licenced by the FDA to be used in certain instances,'' Dr. Warner stressed. "And it was only licenced to be used with insulin users who suffer from diabetes mellitus (Type II diabetes).'' Diabetes -- a major problem on the Island -- is when the body cannot properly convert sugar and starch. It is due to a deficiency in the production or effectiveness of the hormone insulin and can lead to severe health problems.

Type II diabetics are able to handle the disease via diet, medication, and for some insulin.

Those that have Type I diabetes require insulin to control the disease. It results from antibodies that strike insulin cells in the pancreas, leading to decreased insulin production.

And Dr. Warner revealed that independent tests had revealed that Rezulin was less effective than some of the present drugs available to diabetics.

The bulletin "The Medical Letter'' echoed Dr. Warner's claims, and wrote in a recent edition, "The safety and effectiveness of long-term use of troglitazone (Rezulin) remain to be established.'' And Dr. Warner revealed that the one area where Rezulin exceeded the old drugs was in the price. "The Medical Letter'' recently listed the cost of several oral drugs for the most common form of diabetes, and Rezulin was the most expensive.

The most common of the recent diabetic drugs -- most often consumed by locals -- cost between $3.49 to $20.81 US wholesale for a month's supply.

Rezulin, distributed by Parke-Davis, costs $160.20 for a month's supply.

"Why go with it when there are cheaper, tried and proven drugs already on the market,'' Dr. Warner said. "And you already know the long-term side affects.'' Dr. Warner added that the key to combating diabetes was exercise and maintaining an ideal weight.

Despite Dr. Warner's comments, Dr. Shigo maintained that Rezulin could be a significant discovery in the battle against diabetes.

"It reduces the requirement for insulin,'' he said. "It makes it work more effectively.'' But Dr. Shigo admitted the drug was not ideal for every diabetic. "Not everyone is suited for this medicine,'' he said.

And he said that Dr. Warner should try Rezulin before passing judgment on it.

"Before he can make a statement he must try the medicine himself on patients and weigh the benefits,'' he suggested. "I've tried it on three patients and they are doing well.'' And he said clinical studies were being conducted at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville, Maryland.

According to manufacturer Parke-Davis, Rezulin had been the subject of global clinical development.

"More than 3,800 patients have been exposed to Rezulin in studies worldwide,'' a release from the company said.

Dr. Shigo also admitted that Rezulin could have side effects.

"It can have side effects, but they are few and far between,'' he said. "I haven't seen any major side effects.'' Dr. Shigo said caution was important, but so was progress, and urged Dr.

Warner "to be open minded''.

He said doctors should choose candidates for the new drug who had tried all other medication, diet, exercise and insulin to combat their Type II diabetes.

He added that the candidate should also have developed a resistance to insulin.

"Every doctor has a comfort level in prescribing medication,'' he said. "Dr.

Warner's is lower than mine. I'm willing to try medicines. Some doctors wait until everyone else has tried it.

"I don't want to give people the wrong idea,'' Dr. Shigo added. "I'm not saying everyone should be on it.'' And with respect to the cost of the new drug, Dr. Shigo said: "You can't deny medication because it's more expensive.'' Dr. John Shigo