India’s First Weekly Insulin Injection Awiqli Launched by Novo Nordisk: A Major Shift in Diabetes Treatment
After almost a century of relying on daily insulin injections, India now has a new alternative for eligible diabetes patients. Novo Nordisk has launched Awiqli (Insulin Icodec), the world’s first once-weekly basal insulin, designed to reduce the burden of frequent injections in diabetes treatment.
By replacing daily basal insulin doses with a weekly injection, Awiqli could reduce the number of injections from 365 per year to just 52. However, patients switching from daily basal insulin require physician-guided dose adjustments and regular monitoring to ensure safe and effective treatment. Experts also emphasize that Awiqli is not suitable for every diabetes patient and should be prescribed based on individual medical needs.
The New Era of Diabetes Treatment for India.
India has one of the largest populations of people with diabetes. With an estimated 101 million people living with diabetes and another 136 million with prediabetes, accessible diabetic treatment becomes more important than ever. While an everyday basal injection is essential for millions of patients, it is quite a challenge to remember everyday doses, which often delays insulin initiation by seven to nine years.
To solve these problems, Novo Nordisk has launched the Awiqli in India. The first one-shot per week Insulin Icodec for adults requiring basal insulin. With growth in the healthcare industry and modern medicine, diabetic patients may find relief from their daily doses to just weekly basal insulin doses as a reliable option for glucose control.
What is the Insulin Icodec: Awiqli?
The Insulin Icodec is sold under the brand name Awiqli. The new once-weekly basal insulin injection was developed by Novo Nordisk and launched in India. This injection provides insulin support throughout the week for patients.
In patients with diabetes, Insulin- the hormone that allows the cell to take up glucose for energy. Either it is not produced or the body fails to use it properly. Type 1 diabetes requires insulin, while type 2 only needs it when the need for the insulin required for the body for glucose control.
Awiqli reduced 365 injections to 52 a year. It has simplified diabetic treatment and also overcome the biggest barrier to insulin therapy – the fear of daily shots leads to insulin initiation after years from diagnosis.
What Makes This Launch Important?
The launch of Awiqli is an important milestone in Diabetes Treatment in India. It is the first once-weekly basal insulin available in the country. For many people, taking insulin every day can become difficult over time, and missed doses are common. Novo Nordisk believes a weekly injection may help improve treatment adherence by reducing the burden of daily injections. This is especially significant because India is home to one of the world’s largest populations of people living with diabetes.
What Did Clinical Trials Show?
The approval of Insulin Icodec is supported by the global ONWARDS Phase 3 clinical programme, which included more than 4,000 adults with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The studies compared once-weekly Insulin Icodec with commonly used once-daily basal insulin therapies. Researchers found that the weekly insulin reduced HbA1c levels as effectively as, and in some studies slightly better than, daily basal insulin. The safety profile was also found to be similar to existing long-acting insulin options, making it a promising advance in Diabetes Treatment.
Why Doctors Say It Is Not for Everyone
Although Novo Nordisk’s new weekly insulin offers greater convenience, doctors stress that it is not the right choice for every patient seeking Diabetes Treatment. Some people may still benefit more from daily basal insulin depending on their type of diabetes, blood sugar fluctuations, overall health, and current medications. Doctors also recommend that patients should never switch to Insulin Icodec without medical supervision, as every treatment plan needs to be adjusted based on individual health needs.
KEM Hospital endocrinologist Dr Tushar Bandgar, who led the trial in India said that the treatment is best suited for patients who still produce some insulin naturally and require only basal insulin replacement. “ Those needing multiple insulin injections everyday may not benefit as much,” he said.
Availability and Pricing of the Injection
Novo Nordisk has launched Awiqli in India in a pre-filled injection pen for adults who require basal insulin. The company has started introducing the product across the country, although availability may vary by city during the initial rollout. Patients interested in this new Diabetes Treatment option should consult their doctor or local pharmacy for information on availability and pricing.
Conclusion
The arrival of Awiqli marks an important development in Diabetes Treatment in India. By introducing Insulin Icodec, Novo Nordisk has offered eligible patients a once-weekly basal insulin option that could make insulin therapy more convenient. At the same time, doctors remind patients that this treatment is not meant for everyone. Choosing the right insulin should always be based on a doctor’s advice and each patient’s individual health condition.
