Novo Nordisk launches Tresiba

NOVO Nordisk has launched Tresiba (insulin degludec), in Saudi Arabia. Tresiba is a once-daily basal insulin for people with diabetes that successfully achieves equivalent reductions in blood glucose levels, with a lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia versus insulin glargine. Tresiba allows for flexibility in day-to-day dosing time, when needed without compromising efficacy or risk of hypoglycaemia. One of the key challenges with insulin therapy is the risk of hypoglycaemia, when blood glucose levels fall to lower than normal levels, causing unpleasant symptoms, such as dizziness and confusion, unconsciousness and sometimes leads to death. Research shows that fears and concerns about hypoglycaemia can interfere with achieving optimal glycaemic control in people with diabetes using insulin8. Hypoglycaemia that occurs at night is of particular concern9 for people living with diabetes, as it is unpredictable and difficult to detect. Results from studies over a two-year period show Tresiba successfully achieves equivalent reductions in HbA1c, but with a lower risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia compared to insulin glargine: • 43% for people with type 2 diabetes • 25% for people with type 1 diabetes “Maintaining good blood glucose control with insulin treatment can be challenging for healthcare professionals and patients due to concerns over hypoglycaemia and night-time hypoglycaemia in particular. Tresiba has shown less risk of nocturnal hypoglycaemia than the most widely used basal insulin,” said Vikrant Shrotriya, VP Gulf, Novo Nordisk. “Tresiba can be administered at any time of the day, offering flexible dosing when needed. This flexibility could help improve the lives of patients, as poor insulin adherence contributes to poor glycaemic control,” said Dr.Saleh Aljaser. “We are glad that people with diabetes in Saudi Arabia will get access to Tresiba which will help them enjoy better lives and manage their diabetes” said Mads Bo Larsen, CVP BAGIE, Novo Nordisk. Complications from diabetes caused by failing to keep optimal glycemic control can be serious, and may include problems such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease, nerve damage and premature mortality. In Saudi Arabia, where 4.7 million people live with diabetes,1.4 million adult patients are still undiagnosed and the number of diabetes-related deaths was 23,420 in 2015. Dr.Saleh Aljaser, who is a consultant endocrinologist in National Guard Hospital and the head of Saudi Society for Endocrinology and Metabolism (SSEM) has shared his scientific experience in using Tresiba. Also Dr.Saud Alsifri who is a consultant endocrinologist in Alhada Armed Forces Hospital and the chairman of the specialized medical center talked about hypoglycemia as one of the major barriers in diabetes management.