In Brief
Center's approval for the sale of effective medicine for blood sugar and obesity
Helps in weight loss along with sugar control
This can also be useful for patients struggling with obesity
(Diabetes) The Government of India has approved a new drug, Semaglutide, developed in Denmark for Type-2 diabetes patients. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has permitted the introduction of this drug in the Indian market, and it will be available in injection form under the name Ozempic. Semaglutide acts like insulin in the body and belongs to the group of “glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.”
This drug is considered particularly useful for patients whose blood sugar is not controlled by diet and exercise alone or for those on whom traditional drugs like Metformin do not have an effect. Additionally, patients who cannot tolerate these drugs may also benefit from it.
Clinical trials have shown that this medication not only helps control blood sugar but also aids in weight loss. Additionally, it is effective in reducing the risk of serious conditions like heart attack and stroke. Therefore, it can also be beneficial for patients struggling with obesity.
According to experts, this medication is only for patients for whom older medications are not effective. Therefore, it should not be used without consulting a doctor.
Currently, approximately 101 million people in India are diabetic, and this number is expected to rise to 136 million in the coming years. However, the affordability of this medication for patients will be a major challenge.