Sanofi’s diabetes drug Soliqua now available in India, priced at Rs 1850 per pen

New Delhi: Sanofi India Limited has launched its’ new diabetes drug Soliqua® after having received the marketing authorization from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) earlier last year.

Soliqua® is indicated as treatment in adults with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus, to improve glycemic control as an adjunct to diet and exercise, in those who are insufficiently controlled on oral or injectable therapies.

It is once-daily injectable combination drug containing insulin glargine 100 Units/ml, which is a long-acting basal insulin and lixisenatide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist. This global innovation is now accessible at a cost of Rs 1850 per pen, enabling wider access to patients living with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Cyrus Aibara, Head – Diabetes Business Unit, Sanofi (India) said, “Over 100 million Indians are living with type 2 diabetes and its complexities. Of these, >60% people are living with uncontrolled blood sugar levels and have a higher risk of developing complications, despite being on treatment including multiple OADs (oral anti-diabetics) over a long period of time. The inclusion of Soliqua® to our comprehensive diabetes portfolio (orals and injectables) eases therapy initiation, which helps those prescribed, keep their blood sugar in control more effectively.”

Dr Shalini Menon, Country Medical Lead, Sanofi (India), “Despite the advances in diabetes care, many people living with type 2 diabetes are unable to reach their sugar goals. Fear of hypoglycemia, weight gain and multiple injections can be barriers to effective treatment with insulins. In clinical trials, the combination injectable Soliqua® has demonstrated effective sugar control, without weight gain and with lower risk of hypoglycemia, compared to twice daily premix insulins.”

Living with type 2 diabetes could get complicated and burdensome. A large category of patients on multiple medications have to deal with weight gain, hypoglycemia and multiple injection pricks, even as they struggle to keep their blood sugar under control.