Novo Nordisk, a Denmark-based pharmaceutical company, has launched a new insulin option in India that needs to be taken only once a week, offering relief to diabetes patients who currently require daily injections.
India has an estimated 101 million people living with diabetes, while about 136 million are in the pre-diabetic stage. More than 900,000 people with Type 1 diabetes—where the body does not produce insulin—typically need insulin injections every day. Many with advanced Type 2 diabetes also require daily insulin to control blood sugar.
Studies have indicated that fear of daily injections leads some patients to delay starting insulin therapy. The company said the new weekly regimen could help patients begin treatment earlier and adhere to it more consistently.
The medicine is insulin icodec, branded as “Awiqli”, and will be administered using a pen device called “FlexTouch”. The company has set the price of a 700-unit pack at Rs 2,611, or Rs 3.73 per unit.
Novo Nordisk said the product is 30–40% cheaper than currently used daily insulin. For patients who use 10 units a day, the weekly requirement would be 70 units, costing about Rs 261 per week, according to the company’s statement.
