Could one daily pill narrow the diabetes treatment gap in the Global South?
Summary
Daily oral GLP-1 medicines are emerging as an alternative to weekly injections for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. Their lower reported cost and lack of refrigeration needs could make treatment easier to distribute in lower-income countries, including Pakistan, where diabetes prevalence is high.Key Facts
- GLP-1 receptor agonists have been used since the first FDA-approved drug in this class, exenatide, entered the market in 2005.
- Weekly injectable GLP-1 medicines include semaglutide products such as Ozempic and Wegovy, and tirzepatide, sold as Mounjaro.
- The article gives monthly Mounjaro prices of about $500 in the United States, £199 in the United Kingdom, and 1,261 riyals in Saudi Arabia.
- In Pakistan, the article lists imported Mounjaro at 220,000 rupees and locally manufactured tirzepatide at 17,000 rupees.
- Locally manufactured oral semaglutide is reported to cost about $18 for a 30-day supply in some countries.
- Oral GLP-1 medicines do not require the cold storage used for many injectable medicines, which could simplify distribution in rural areas.
- The article reports diabetes prevalence at 31.4 percent in Pakistan, the highest rate among the countries listed.
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