PATNA: There's some good news for diabetic patients suffering from erectile dysfunction. Now, a new drug to treat impotence is available in the market which is more effective and safer than Viagra clones

The new drug called 'Tadalafil' is much safer for cardiac patients, claims noted diabetician Dr S K Singh of Varanasi.

Singh while delivering a lecture on the inaugural day of the three-day 32nd annual conference of the Research Society for the Study of Diabetes in India (RSSDI) here at the S K Memorial hall pointed out that 40 to 50 per cent diabetic patients are suffering from erectile dysfunction.

It has now become essential for all such patients to use this new drug which has no side effects. The effect of Viagra clones is only for three to four hours while the new drug's effect lasts at least for 17 hours a day, said Singh.

In India, more than 35 million people are diabetic. The prevalence of diabetic patients in Bihar is no less than any other state in the country, said experts.

At least 700 delegates including 10 members from the US, Denmark, Sweden and UK are here to discuss latest research and diagnosis on the silent killer diabetes disease. Prominent among those attending the conference, held for the first time in eastern India, are Dr Byron Hoogwerf, Pankaj Shah, K Venkat Narayan (all from USA), S V Madhu (New Delhi) and S Mukherji (Kolkata).

S V Madhu from Delhi said cholesterol control is equally important for diabetic patients. Blood pressure fluctuations in diabetic patients should not be taken lightly. It should be aggressively controlled, Madhu said.

There is another good news for diabetic patients in coming years. They will not have to go through the tedious process of injecting insulin in the body. The insulin injection would soon be replaced by a drug which will have more impact, said an expert.

Dr S N Arya of Patna highlighted the importance of yoga, meditation and exercise in preventing diabetes. He stressed the need to change the sedentary lifestyle in order to prevent the disease.

The continuing Medical Education (CME) was chaired by well known physicians Vijay Prakash, Ajay Kumar, R P Srivastava and U C Samal. The former VC of Patna university, S N P Sinha, inaugurated the CME function here on Thursday afternoon.

The acting Chief Justice of Patna High Court, Nagendra Rai, will formally inaugurate the conference on Friday evening.