Abbott and MSD Announce Strategic Partnership to Distribute Innovative Oral Anti-Diabetic Medicines in India
Sitagliptin is a DPP4i or Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Inhibitor, used for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. It was discovered and developed by MSD Pharmaceuticals and was the first DPP4i to be launched in India in 2008. The brands under this portfolio continue to be among the leaders in the category, even after loss of exclusivity.
In India, at least 60 per cent of deaths are attributed to non-communicable diseases or NCDs. Amongst these, the leading causes are diabetes, cardiovascular conditions and cancer. The country has an estimated 101 million people with diabetes, and 136 million people who are pre-diabetic, and are at a higher risk of developing diabetes in the future.
'As the largest diversified healthcare company in India, Abbott is uniquely positioned to address some of the most pressing health challenges, particularly non-communicable diseases, which contribute to a considerable burden on the healthcare system,' said Ambati Venu, Vice President for Abbott in India. He further added, 'We offer a wide range of solutions to help people manage diabetes more effectively, including testing, continuous glucose monitoring, nutrition and a complete diabetes medicines portfolio. Through our extensive presence, we can help people in India better manage their Type 2 diabetes and take control of their health.'
Rehan A. Khan, Managing Director, MSD India Region stated, 'Since its introduction in India over 17 years ago, our sitagliptin portfolio has positively impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of patients across the country and has earned the trust of both doctors and patients. Our partnership with Abbott establishes a sustainable business model that will enable us to continue to serve patients throughout India with these diabetes treatments.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
Hyderabad among top 7 life sciences clusters globally
Hyderabad: Telangana's thriving life sciences sector has propelled Hyderabad into one of the top seven life sciences clusters in the world and the only Indian city to achieve this distinction, IT & industries minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu said on Wednesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He said the sector attracted investments worth Rs 54,000 crore since Dec 2023, resulting in the creation of 2 lakh new jobs in pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical technology, and vaccine production. Pointing out that global giants such as Eli Lilly, Amgen, MSD, Zoetis, Evernorth, and Olympus have already chosen Hyderabad as their preferred GCC hub, he said Telangana will soon unveil its next-gen life sciences policy, which will be a "cutting-edge policy framework designed to attract large-scale investments." Sridhar Babu also said the state set an ambitious target to scale up its life sciences economy to $250 billion by 2030, with an eye on making Telangana the life sciences capital of Asia. The minister, who chaired the 6th board meeting of the Telangana Life Sciences Foundation in the city during the day, also proposed the preparation of a feasibility report for establishing the Telangana School of Life Sciences. The foundation's board members include Dr Reddy's Laboratories Chairman Satish Reddy, Laurus Labs CEO Dr Satyanarayana Chava, special chief secretary Sanjay Kumar, and Telangana life sciences director Shakti Nagappan.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Time of India
Doctor says your everyday medicines are secretly draining your vitamins and minerals
Medicines are meant to heal, but what many people don't realize is that long-term use of some common drugs can quietly drain the body of essential nutrients. Over time, this can lead to fatigue, weakened immunity, poor bone health, and other complications that are often mistaken for unrelated health problems. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Dr. Garima Goyal, Dietitian and Nutritionist, explains that medications like aspirin, birth control pills, antacids, and even antibiotics can interfere with how the body absorbs or uses vitamins and minerals. Here's a closer look at which nutrients are most affected by some of the medications people commonly rely on. Aspirin: Vitamin C and Iron Aspirin may hinder vitamin C absorption by disrupting its binding to albumin and cellular uptake mechanisms. It also causes minor mucosal damage that increases antioxidant demand, potentially depleting vitamin C levels. Further, a large (ASPREE trial) found that daily low-dose aspirin (around 100 mg) increased the risk of anemia in adults aged 65 and older by about 20%. This effect appears independent of major gastrointestinal bleeding—suggesting aspirin may also affect iron stores like ferritin. Tylenol (Acetaminophen) : Glutathione Glutathione is the body's 'master antioxidant,' protecting cells from damage. Low levels are linked to aging, diabetes, neurological issues, cancer, and higher infection risk (including COVID-19). Acetaminophen use can lower glutathione, which may make the liver more vulnerable to damage. Birth Control Pills : B Vitamins, Vitamin C, Zinc, Magnesium Studies and reviews indicate that OCs can reduce levels of multiple vitamins and minerals, including folic acid (folate), B₂, B₆, B₁₂, vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, selenium, and zinc. The World Health Organization considers this clinically relevant, recommending supplementation as a preventive measure. The exact reason for these deficiencies isn't fully understood, but the estrogen and progesterone in OCs likely affect how the body processes nutrients. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Metformin : Vitamin B12 Metformin, widely used for type 2 diabetes, can reduce vitamin B12 absorption in the intestines. Long-term use increases the risk of B12 deficiency, which may worsen nerve damage (neuropathy). This happens because metformin interferes with the way vitamin B12 binds and is absorbed in the small intestine. Antacids : Vitamin B12, Calcium, Potassium, Zinc Antacids, especially proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and H2 blockers, reduce stomach acid. But stomach acid is needed to release vitamin B12 from food. According to Harvard Health, long-term use may also affect calcium, potassium, and zinc levels, leading to broader nutrient imbalances. Statins : CoQ10 Statins lower cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. However, they can also lower Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), a compound needed for energy production in muscle cells. Low CoQ10 levels may cause muscle aches, weakness, or inflammation, which are common side effects of statins. Antibiotics : Good gut bacteria Antibiotics kill harmful bacteria, but they also wipe out beneficial gut bacteria. This imbalance, known as gut dysbiosis, lowers microbial diversity and may promote antibiotic-resistant strains. Long-term consequences can include obesity, allergies, asthma, and changes in metabolism. Steroids : Vitamin D, Calcium, Magnesium, B Vitamins, Potassium Steroids are known to affect the body's nutrient balance in several connected ways. They first interfere with calcium absorption and increase its loss, which, combined with reduced vitamin D activity, weakens bones and raises the risk of osteoporosis. As this cycle continues, magnesium levels also drop because steroids promote urinary excretion, further impacting bone and muscle health. Potassium depletion follows due to fluid and electrolyte shifts, leading to weakness or cramps. Finally, steroids can disrupt how the body uses B vitamins, reducing energy and nerve function.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Docs save life with rare heart valve procedure
New Delhi: A 72-year-old woman battling breathlessness, chest pain and severe fatigue - 14 years after undergoing major heart surgery - was given a new lease on life through a rare and risky intervention performed at Apollo Hospitals . Back then, she survived acute aortic dissection with a complex surgery that replaced her damaged aortic valve and root with a tissue valve. Over the years, that valve narrowed dangerously, demanding urgent replacement. Normally this could be managed through a minimally invasive Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) via the femoral artery in the leg. However, her situation was far from routine - a chronic Type B aortic dissection left her aorta with two channels, a "true" and a "false" lumen, the latter being larger. This made reaching the heart with catheters extremely risky. Open-heart surgery was ruled out due to the high danger posed by her age, frailty and the residual dissection. Faced with these obstacles, a multidisciplinary team from Apollo's Heart Valve and Aortic Program - led by Dr. Gautam Naik and Dr. Niranjan Hiremath - devised a plan for a rare and complex trans-femoral Valve-in-Valve TAVI procedure . Such cases have been reported only in isolated instances worldwide. After meticulous planning and advanced imaging guidance, the 3.5-hour procedure was performed entirely through the femoral artery. A 23 mm Navitor Vision (Abbott) transcatheter heart valve was successfully implanted, restoring healthy blood flow. The patient recovered well and was discharged in stable condition on the fifth day. A minor new false lumen detected after the procedure was managed conservatively with strict blood pressure control. "In complex heart disease, success often depends on finding safe, innovative solutions tailored to the patient," said Dr. Naik.
