New Delhi: Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare and multinational pharmaceutical company, launched the world’s first once-weekly basal insulin in India on July 9, marking a major breakthrough for diabetes patients. The dose is designed for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, which is claimed to reduce the number of insulin injections from 365 a year to just 52, making diabetes management more convenient for eligible patients. The launch is expected to address one of the biggest challenges in insulin therapy, fear of daily injections, which often delays treatment.
Novo Nordisk’s Awiqli: What Is Awiqli and How Does It Work?
Awiqli is a once-weekly basal insulin that helps regulate blood sugar levels by providing long-acting insulin support. Unlike conventional basal insulins that require daily administration, Awiqli is injected just once every week using Novo Nordisk’s FlexTouch pen device. The therapy is intended for adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes who require basal insulin. By reducing injection frequency from 365 to 52 annually, the company aims to improve treatment adherence, reduce injection anxiety and encourage patients to begin insulin therapy at the right time.
How Much Does Awiqli Cost and Who Could Benefit?
Novo Nordisk has priced a 700-unit pack of Awiqli at Rs 2,611, translating to Rs 3.73 per unit, which the company says is around 30–40% cheaper per unit than many currently available daily basal insulins. Patients requiring around 10 units of insulin daily would need approximately 70 units of Awiqli each week, costing about Rs 261 per week. India has nearly 10.1 crore people living with diabetes, over 13.6 crore people with prediabetes, and more than 9 lakh individuals with Type 1 diabetes. Additionally, around 10% of people with Type 2 diabetes eventually require insulin therapy, making innovations like Awiqli significant for a large patient population.
What Do Clinical Studies and Experts Say?
According to Novo Nordisk, clinical findings from the ONWARDS-1 programme showed that Awiqli delivered superior HbA1c reduction and improved “time in range” compared with once-daily insulin glargine U100 while maintaining a comparable safety profile. Experts have welcomed the launch, noting that delayed insulin initiation remains a major issue in India. Many patients postpone treatment due to injection anxiety, pain and the complexity of daily insulin schedules. Specialists believe a once-weekly option could improve patient acceptance, treatment adherence and long-term diabetes management.
Novo Nordisk’s Awiqli: Why Is This Launch Significant for India?
India carries one of the world’s highest diabetes burdens, yet millions of eligible patients are still not receiving insulin therapy. Novo Nordisk estimates that while nearly 60 lakh people currently use insulin in India, many more could benefit from timely treatment. With its simplified once-weekly dosing, competitive pricing and potential to improve adherence, Awiqli could play an important role in transforming diabetes care and reducing the treatment burden for eligible patients across the country.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Awiqli is a prescription medicine and should only be used under the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional. Patients should consult their doctor to determine whether this treatment is appropriate for their medical condition.
