There is good news for millions of diabetes patients in India. Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has launched ‘Avikli’ in the country – the world’s first ‘once a week’ basal insulin. Until now, diabetic patients had to take daily insulin injections to control their blood sugar; But with this new insulin, they can control their levels by injecting just once a week. This reduces the number of annual insulin injections from 365 to only 52.
**Only 52 injections instead of 365**
Typically, a patient requires 365 insulin injections in a year. With the arrival of Avikli, this number has become only 52 annually. Experts believe that patients in India often delay starting insulin therapy by 7 to 9 years due to fear, pain and associated complications. This new weekly insulin will prove helpful in removing such hesitation.
**Who can use it and how?**
This insulin is approved for adult patients (18 years of age and older) with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It is injected under the skin (subcutaneously) in the abdomen, thigh or upper arm on a fixed day every week using the company’s special FlexTouch pen. Type 1 patients must also take a short-acting mealtime insulin along with it, while Type 2 patients can use it alone or in combination with other medications as directed by the doctor.
**What is its price?**
Keeping the Indian market in mind, the company has priced this product competitively:
1 ml pen (700 units): ₹2,611
3 ml pen (2,100 units): ₹7,833
If a patient requires 70 units of insulin a week, the cost of one dose will be approximately ₹261. This is a very affordable and convenient option compared to the daily insulin options currently available in the market. India has become the seventh country in the world to provide this modern treatment. According to health experts, this innovation will make diabetes management in India easier and more effective.
3 special things about Aviqli
Compared to existing daily basal insulins like ‘Lantus’, Aviqli has three major technological improvements that will improve the quality of life for patients:
**Continuous effect for 7 days due to ‘albumin-binding’ technology**
Once taken, Aviqli’s active ingredient – insulin icodec – binds tightly to the albumin protein in the blood. It releases insulin slowly and at a consistent rate for up to seven days. This significantly reduces the risk of sudden drop in blood sugar level at night.
**Eliminates the 7-9 year delay in starting insulin therapy**
Clinical data shows that in India, despite doctor’s advice, patients often delay starting insulin therapy by an average of 7 to 9 years due to fear of needles and the hassle of daily injections. The convenience of injecting once a week will completely eliminate this fear.
**Affordable Price**
Although newer drugs are usually very expensive, Aviqli costs ₹261 per week (₹37 per day), which is more affordable than daily basal insulin (₹345 to ₹453 per week).
**Who should take Aviqli and how is it used?**
**Eligibility:** This medication is approved for adult patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who have been prescribed basal insulin by their doctor.
**Use:** It can be taken by injection under the skin (subcutaneously) on any selected day of the week (eg, every Sunday).
**Dose changes:** The patient’s doctor will decide the weekly dose (e.g., 70 units or more) based on their blood sugar profile.
