Health Watch | Diabetes treatment: A shot a week option
Awiqli is the world's first once-a-week basal insulin injection
A major advance in diabetes care has arrived in India with the launch of the world’s first once-a-week basal insulin injection. Called Awiqli (insulin icodec), the new treatment is designed for adults who need long-acting insulin to keep their blood sugar under control. Instead of taking an insulin injection every day, eligible patients may now need just one injection a week.
A major advance in diabetes care has arrived in India with the launch of the world’s first once-a-week basal insulin injection. Called Awiqli (insulin icodec), the new treatment is designed for adults who need long-acting insulin to keep their blood sugar under control. Instead of taking an insulin injection every day, eligible patients may now need just one injection a week.
A major advance in diabetes care has arrived in India with the launch of the world’s first once-a-week basal insulin injection. Called Awiqli (insulin icodec), the new treatment is designed for adults who need long-acting insulin to keep their blood sugar under control. Instead of taking an insulin injection every day, eligible patients may now need just one injection a week.
The biggest advantage is convenience. Many people delay starting insulin because they fear daily injections or find it difficult to stick to a strict routine. A weekly injection could improve treatment adherence and make life easier for patients, caregivers and those with busy schedules. However, doctors stress that this is not a replacement for all insulin treatments. It is suitable only for selected patients and must be prescribed by a diabetes specialist. People who need rapid-acting insulin with meals will still require those injections, and patients should never switch treatments on their own. There are also safety features to consider—patients must take the shots at exactly seven-day intervals, and accidental daily dosing can cause severe complications.
For a country with more than 100 million people living with diabetes, the arrival of weekly insulin is an important step forward. The Awiqli shot will cost about Rs 260 (roughly Rs 1,100 per month for a patient using 70 units per week). Daily basal insulin shots now typically cost Rs 700-2,300 per month, depending on the brand and the dosage. Doctors, though, stress that the new injection works best as part of an overall diabetes management plan, not as a standalone solution.
