Good news for diabetes patients: Once-weekly insulin introduced in India

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Good news for people with diabetes who rely on insulin injections. India has introduced a once-weekly insulin injection, eliminating the need for daily insulin shots. The new insulin is expected to be available in Kerala soon. Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has launched the product under the brand name Awiqli.

Unlike conventional insulin, which works for about a day, the new insulin remains effective for an entire week. According to the manufacturer, it is the world's first once-weekly insulin injection.

Diabetes specialist Dr. Jyothidev Kesavadev told Kerala Kaumudi that the safety of the new insulin has already been established. He said his institution was also part of the clinical trials for the drug.

Doctors will need training on how to prescribe the new insulin, including the correct dosage for different types of diabetes and how it can be used alongside other medications. It may take up to six months for doctors across different specialities to receive the required training.

Since the new insulin has several unique features, it cannot be used in the same way as conventional insulin. The method of calculating the dosage is also different. Doctors are expected to receive detailed guidelines soon.

For now, the new insulin has been approved only for adults aged 18 years and above. Patients will require a total of 70 units per week. The price of a 70-unit dose has been fixed at Rs 261. Dr Jyothidev said the new insulin will be one of the key topics of discussion at the Global Diabetes Convention, which began in Kovalam on Friday.