New Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Now Available in Pharmacies
As of this Wednesday, a new treatment for type 2 diabetes will be available in pharmacies, following its recent approval for market release. This innovative medication is administered via a weekly dose and is only available by prescription.
Dr. Nabila Mejdoub Rekik, head of the endocrinology department at the Sfax University Hospital and President of the Tunisian Association of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolic Diseases, has clarified several misconceptions surrounding this medication. She emphasized that it is not intended for weight loss, contrary to circulating information, and should not replace insulin in patient care.
According to the specialist, this medication must be prescribed by a medical specialist, including endocrinologists, diabetologists, internists, cardiologists, or specialized nutritionists. It is administered once a week and comes in a box containing four doses, equivalent to a month's treatment.
In addition to regulating blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes (the primary indication for this treatment), clinical studies have highlighted additional benefits, including cardiovascular and renal protection, reduced risk of cardiac arrest, and weight loss in obese patients, who account for 42% of those suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Like all medications, it is not exempt from side effects. The most frequently reported are gastrointestinal in nature, including nausea and diarrhea. However, these symptoms are generally temporary and subside over time as the body adapts to the treatment.
Priced at 355 dinars per box of four doses, this treatment is not currently covered by the National Health Insurance Fund, raising questions about its accessibility for a wide range of patients.
