World’s first once-weekly insulin launched in India
Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has introduced Awiqli (insulin icodec) in India, describing it as the world’s first once-weekly basal insulin for adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
The treatment reduces the frequency of basal insulin injections from daily administration to a single weekly dose, potentially lowering the number of injections required each year.
According to the company, delayed initiation of insulin therapy remains a major challenge in India because many patients are reluctant to begin daily injections. The weekly formulation is intended to improve treatment adherence and convenience.
Novo Nordisk has priced the 700-unit pack at ₹2,611, translating to about ₹3.73 per unit. The company says this makes the product significantly less expensive per unit than many existing daily basal insulin options.
Patients who require around 10 units of basal insulin each day would typically need approximately 70 units of the weekly formulation. However, specialists note that many people with Type 1 diabetes and some individuals with Type 2 diabetes will still require rapid-acting insulin before meals in addition to the weekly basal dose.
Medical experts have welcomed both the innovation and its pricing, noting that clinical studies have shown glucose control comparable to, and in some cases better than, conventional daily basal insulin when used appropriately.
India is estimated to have over 100 million people living with diabetes, along with millions more diagnosed with prediabetes.