Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk on Wednesday launched Awiqli or insulin icodec, the world's first once-weekly basal insulin for adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, marking a significant shift in diabetes treatment by cutting insulin injections from 365 a year to just 52.
A 700-unit pack of Awaqli will cost Rs 2611, which comes out to be Rs 3.73 per unit – about 30–40 percent cheaper than the cost of daily insulin units available now, the drugmaker said.
Many patients, while starting insulin therapy for managing diabetes, need upto 10 units daily – such patients will need 70 units of weekly insulin, costing about Rs 261 per week.
