PolyMedica President Opens NASDAQ

Just wanted to note that some of our favorite people in the diabetes community are active today. Patrick Ryan of Polymedica (a la Liberty Medical diabetic supplies) and Wilford Brimley, the legendary actor and diabetes advocate/Liberty spokesman are performing the opening bell for NASDAQ today. Thanks to Ilse for sending the link to these pics. I must say that I have never seen Wilford looking so formal in a suit :)

President & CEO of PolyMedica Corporation Will Open NASDAQ Trading on November 14

Diabetes Advocate Wilford Brimley Will Join Ceremony in Celebration of World Diabetes Day

WAKEFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 14, 2006--PolyMedica Corporation (NASDAQ: PLMD), a leading provider of mail order diabetes testing supplies and related services, announced today that Patrick Ryan, President and Chief Executive Officer, along with celebrity spokesperson, Wilford Brimley, will officially open trading on The NASDAQ Stock Market on November 14.

The Opening Bell Ceremony will be held in honor of World Diabetes Day to help raise awareness of diabetes and its complications. Mr. Ryan will address the importance of managing diabetes while Mr. Brimley will discuss how diabetes has impacted him personally.

"The diabetes epidemic has spread throughout the world, and its impact can be devastating on individuals and their families," said Ryan. "It is our goal to remind people that with proper education, lifestyle adjustments and regular testing, individuals can successfully manage their disease instead of diabetes dictating their lives."

PolyMedica is best known through its largest division, Liberty, which for 17 years has provided more than a million individuals with the diabetes testing supplies, medications and support they require to effectively manage their disease. Diabetes affects more than 21 million people in the United States alone, with another 41 million believed to be pre-diabetic.

About PolyMedica Corporation:

For more than a decade, PolyMedica Corporation has been the nation's largest provider of blood glucose testing supplies and related services to people with diabetes and today serves more than 913,000 active patients. The Company is expanding its portfolio of products and services, from patient education to prescription drugs, to help people better manage their conditions and maintain their health. Through proactive patient outreach, convenient home delivery and administrative support, PolyMedica makes it simple for patients to obtain the supplies and medications they need, while encouraging compliance with physicians' orders. More information about PolyMedica can be found on the Company's website at www.polymedica.com.

CONTACT: For PolyMedica Corporation:
Mullen PR
Michelle Marinelli, 212-885-3259
michelle.marinelli@mullen.com
or
Angela Giovanello, 978-468-8921
angela.giovanello@mullen.com

SOURCE: PolyMedica Corporation

National Diabetes Awareness Month: Time to Check the Risk Factors

Welcome to November, National Diabetes Awareness month. Since Type 2 diabetes usually develops later in life and is associated with risk factors, it may be a good time to give yourself a checkup against these Type 2 risk factors:

• Having a family member with diabetes
  


• Being of Alaska Native, American Indian,
  African American, Hispanic/Latino American,
  Asian American, or Pacific Islander descent
  


• Having had gestational diabetes, or given
  birth to at least one baby weighing more than 9
  pounds
  


• Having polycystic ovary syndrome, also known
  as PCOS
  


• Blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or higher, or
  a diagnosis of hypertension (high blood
  pressure)
  


• Having HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol)
  below 35 mg/dL, or triglyceride levels above 250
  mg/dL
  


• Sedentary lifestyle
  


• History of cardiovascular disease
  


• Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired
  fasting glucose (IFG)

Sources:
"National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC)."

Am I At Risk For Type 2 Diabetes? January 2006.
National Institutes of Health. 31 Oct 2006

Diabetes.About.Com