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India’s diabetic population, particularly those on Novo Nordisk’s Human Mixtard insulin, are now apprehensive regarding changes in prescription practices. These concerns are attributed to various factors including clinical efficacy, affordability, and accessibility.
Karnataka Institute of Endocrinology and Research, coming under the aegis of the state medical education department, said prescription switches can be perplexing for patients familiarised to their existing routine. Patients undergo phases of bewilderment and fretfulness when faced with shifts in their insulin therapy, especially if the new regimen differs significantly from their established routine, stated a section of diabetologists.
The country accounts for the highest number of diabetics with an estimated 212 million people. India leads globally in the number of people living with diabetes, surpassing even China.
Sunil Chiplunkar, vice president, business development, Group Pharmaceuticals stated that the big three producers of insulin in the world are Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi. Novo Nordisk insulin range is trusted for quality and availability. In fact, due to various products of Novo Nordisk, in 2023, the company market value was around $570 billion, exceeding Denmark's annual GDP, which was around $405.6 billion. Besides by market capitalization, Novo Nordisk is largest in Denmark.
Pen insulin range of Novo Nordisk is convenient, accurate, not painful during administration, portable making it extremely handy for travel. Also patients on this range include those from rural areas. Phasing out of the Mixtard penfill and replacing with injectables, is not going to be easy. This is a retrograde step. It is inconvenient to administer insulin with help of injection and vials, and further, it is not travel friendly, said Chiplunkar.
Novo Nordisk is apparently focusing on new brands Ozempic and Wegovy semaglutide, as they are more profitable. However, this move puts profits over patient benefit. Hope pen insulin user interests are taken into consideration by Novo Nordisk, he stated.
Another expert noted that the decision by Novo Nordisk to discontinue Human Mixtard insulin is indeed a landmark moment in India’s diabetes care journey. For decades, Human Mixtard has been a familiar and trusted name for both doctors and patients especially those managing type 2 diabetes in urban as well as rural areas. It offered an affordable, premixed solution that made insulin therapy more accessible and easier to manage.
We recognize the concern this transition may raise for many of our patients who have been stable on this formulation for years. That said, this is not the end of care because there are very reliable and accessible alternatives available in the Indian market today, the expert told Pharmabiz.
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