JSE-listed pharmaceutical company Aspen has announced the availability in South Africa of Eli Lilly’s diabetes drug Tirzepatide.
The drug, marketed globally as Mounjaro, is a therapeutic option available to doctors for the treatment of type II diabetes, Aspen said on Friday.
The launch of Mounjaro would assist in increasing access to treatment and improving healthcare outcomes, Aspen said.
“Mounjaro is a once-weekly glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist used as an adjunct to diet and exercise to treat adults with insufficiently controlled type II diabetes, which has been approved by the SA Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra),” Aspen said.
Tirzepatide represents an added therapeutic option to address the rising tide of NCDs
— Aspen CEO Stephen Saad
In August, Aspen entered into a distribution and promotion agreement with the US pharma giant Lilly to extend access to its portfolio of medicines to patients in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa.
Aspen CEO Stephen Saad said the group valued the relationship with Lilly and its recognition of Aspen as its chosen partner in Southern Africa to assist in contributing towards arresting non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which include cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes.
“Tirzepatide is one of the therapeutic options available to physicians for the treatment of type II diabetes, which has doubled in recent times, with one in two diabetic patients in SA being undiagnosed,” Saad said.
“Tirzepatide represents an added therapeutic option to address the rising tide of NCDs. It will increase access and can significantly improve related health outcomes.”
Tirzepatide will be available in South Africa from the latter part of December in single-dose vials, with a KwikPen presentation under evaluation at Sahpra, Aspen said.
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