Global pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has introduced Awiqli, its innovative once-weekly basal insulin injection, in India. The new therapy is designed for adults living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, offering a convenient alternative to the traditional daily insulin regimen.
With this launch, India becomes the seventh country worldwide to offer Awiqli, marking another significant step in advancing diabetes care.
A Once-A-Week Insulin Option For Diabetes Patients
Unlike conventional basal insulin that requires daily administration, Awiqli needs to be injected only once every week. The treatment aims to reduce the burden of frequent injections while helping patients maintain effective blood sugar control.
Novo Nordisk has introduced the insulin in two pre-filled pen formats containing 700 units and 2,100 units, priced at ₹3.73 per unit, according to Vikrant Shrotriya, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk India.
The company believes the simplified dosing schedule can improve treatment adherence and make insulin therapy less intimidating for people diagnosed with diabetes.
Reducing The Fear Of Starting Insulin Therapy
Many patients delay insulin treatment because they associate it with lifelong daily injections.
Speaking about the launch, Shrotriya explained that the once-weekly formulation could help overcome this psychological barrier by offering a far more convenient treatment schedule.
He added that the objective of medical innovation is not only to improve clinical outcomes but also to make treatments easier for patients to follow.
According to the company, Awiqli combines greater convenience with effective long-term blood sugar management, making it a promising option for eligible patients.
Fewer Injections, Greater Convenience
One of the biggest advantages of Awiqli is the dramatic reduction in the number of injections required each year.
Patients who switch from a daily basal insulin schedule could reduce their injections from approximately 365 per year to just 52, making diabetes management considerably more manageable.
Novo Nordisk said the new therapy reflects more than a century of research aimed at making insulin treatment safer, simpler and more patient-friendly.
The company described once-weekly insulin as a long-standing goal in diabetes care that has now become a reality for patients in India.
Nationwide Availability
Novo Nordisk confirmed that Awiqli will be distributed across the country through its network of approximately 4,500 distributors, ensuring widespread availability for healthcare providers and patients.
The company expects the therapy to support better treatment adherence while helping address challenges associated with initiating insulin therapy.
India Faces A Growing Diabetes Challenge
The launch comes at a time when India continues to experience one of the world’s highest diabetes burdens.
According to Novo Nordisk, more than 101 million people in India are currently living with diabetes, highlighting the urgent need for effective and patient-friendly treatment options.
With diabetes cases continuing to rise, innovations that simplify long-term disease management could play an important role in improving health outcomes and quality of life.
Follows The Launch Of Ozempic In India
The introduction of Awiqli follows Novo Nordisk’s launch of Ozempic in India last year.
Ozempic, a medication primarily approved for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, has gained worldwide recognition not only for improving blood sugar control but also for its weight management benefits.
With the addition of Awiqli, Novo Nordisk is further expanding its diabetes care portfolio in India, offering patients more advanced treatment choices tailored to their individual needs.
A New Step Forward In Diabetes Care
The arrival of Awiqli represents an important advancement for diabetes management in India. By replacing daily injections with a once-weekly schedule, the therapy has the potential to improve treatment adherence, reduce the burden of insulin use, and encourage more patients to begin insulin therapy when medically recommended.
Patients should consult their healthcare provider to determine whether Awiqli is an appropriate treatment option based on their individual medical condition and diabetes management plan.