Exubera Success May Hinge on Usability

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At the recent annual scientific meeting of the American Diabetes Association, the Pfizer (PFE Quote) booth was jam-packed with doctors, nurses, academics and analysts angling for a firsthand look at the Exubera insulin inhaler.

"Change the diabetes experience," said one video display as a platoon of Pfizer representatives showed onlookers how to use the inhaler. To be sure, the New York-based drug giant hopes to vastly alter the way diabetics get their insulin by giving them the first option to injections to come on the market.

However, questions remain about just how easy the device is to use and whether a large number of insulin users will in fact make the switch. ...