“The European Commission has granted theweekly insulin authorizationthe first in the world indicated for the treatment of diabetes in adults”. This was announced by the Danish pharmaceutical group Novo Nordisk. “An unprecedented innovation 101 years after the discovery of insulin, which could have a positive impact on the management of diabetes and which will be able to change the quality of life of patients”. Because “in a year, from a minimum of 365 injections we go to 52”.
How weekly insulin works
Today – the company recalls – insulin therapy requires the patient to administer insulin at least once a day, with an impact that ranges from the management of the therapy itself to the social, work and psychological spheres of the person with diabetes and their family . An aspect linked in particular to the need to monitor the disease on a daily basis, planning the entire day accordingly. The number of injections can represent a major obstacle in terms of quality of life and adherence to therapy. In fact, the data shows that 50% of people with diabetes who require insulin therapy delay the start of treatment by more than 2 years, with repercussions on the management of the pathology and its complications.
In phase 3 clinical trials – reports a note – weekly insulin allowed a reduction in blood sugar (measured as a change in glycated hemoglobin HbA1c) compared to daily basal insulin, favoring glycemic control in people with type 2 diabetes.
Chronic non-communicable diseases are linked to lifestyles and the context in which we live, with an impact also on the quality of social relationships, underlines Novo Nordisk. Among these pathologies is diabetes: in Italy approximately 6% of the population suffers from it, almost 4 million people. An underestimated figure, if you consider that there are around 1.5 million missed diagnoses.
The environment is now considered to all intents and purposes a determinant of health, especially when it comes to chronicity. Also from this perspective, the company points out, “a therapy that goes from daily to weekly administration, with a considerable saving in the number of pens used, offers a concrete response in terms of environmental sustainability, favoring the reduction of emissions of CO2”.
“Weekly insulin is a long-awaited innovation for people with type 1 and 2 diabetes, due to its positive effects from both a clinical and social point of view. We therefore hope that Aifa will give its approval to the approval of this insulin innovative, which combines clinical benefits with environmental sustainability thanks to the decrease in the number of pens used and therefore the use of plastic”, says Angelo Avogaro, president of the Italian Society of Diabetology (Sid), after the EU approval for the first weekly insulin therapy .
The benefits of weekly insulin
“This is a clear improvement in the management of the disease – he states – with positive repercussions both on the quality of life and on adherence to treatment. The need for daily administration, in fact, can be stressful and affect the continuity of treatment. The new insulin basal is administered subcutaneously once a week and has been shown to improve glycemic control, compared to the daily version, without an increase in the risk of hypoglycemia”.
According to Sid, the “advantages are notable, such as the reduction of the treatment burden: fewer injections (from 7 to 1 per week) can mean fewer needles, less pain and greater simplicity, improving compliance and quality of life “. Other benefits include improved glycemic control and lower risk of hypoglycemia: Weekly formulations release insulin more steadily, reducing blood sugar spikes and dips and the risk of severe hypoglycemia. Best long-term glycemic control may reduce the risk of diabetic complications such as heart disease, stroke, nephropathy and retinopathy.”
“Putting the person with diabetes at the center – observes Avogaro – also means taking into consideration their social and life needs. Fewer injections offer more flexibility for the daily routine, travel and social activities. And reducing frequent injections can reduce stress, anxiety and depression associated with diabetes, with a lower emotional impact as well as an increase in the sense of control and self-efficacy – concludes President Sid – can increase adherence, which is an important element for improvement health outcomes and reduce both hospital admissions and the resulting costs.”
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