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By Sam Bennison

To Your Health

“It’s honestly very crazy” New diabetes medication allows patients to take insulin just once a week

Jun 25, 2024 | 5:00 AM

PRINCE GEORGE— Canada has approved the first once a week basal insulin for type two diabetics. The new insulin will be under the brand name Awiqli and will allow some patients to not have to take insulin every day.

“It’s honestly very crazy,” says Pharmacist Brianna Pallot. “I didn’t think that we would kind of ever seen an insulin that lasts this long. But essentially what they’ve done is, they’ve just altered a few things in the human insulin structure and that has extended it’s half life.

The medication has only been approved for type two diabetics between 18 and 75 years old. While Awiqli is brand name Pallot says it’s not much more expensive than other insulins.

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“It’s relatively similar to some longer acting insulins. If people are on short acting insulins, it’s not going to replace that cost,” continues Pallot.

Keri Bell lives with diabetes and is hoping to get on Awiqli once it’s available. However, she is hoping it will be covered by Pharmacare of she will be unable to afford it.

“I’m on PWD (Person with Disability). So, a lot of my meds are covered by pharmacare, which is which is a helpful. But, I have to go through the loops of having special authorization for certain things, explains Keri Bell. “And it’s hard. It’s definitely a lot of hoops to jump through.

Awiqli will be available in Canada June 30, 2024.

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Email: sam.bennison@pattisonmedia.com