Experts warn of obesity surge in Pakistan
The issue was brought into focus at a seminar titled "Unprecedented Partnerships for a Healthier Tomorrow," aimed at raising public awareness and promoting collaborative efforts to combat obesity in Pakistan.
Addressing the seminar, Jakob Linulf, Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan, underscored the vital role of partnerships in addressing global health challenges such as obesity.
"Tackling obesity requires collective action. Danish companies like Novo Nordisk are contributing significantly to Pakistan's healthcare landscape. I am confident that this collaboration will leave a lasting positive impact on public health in Pakistan. A unified strategy is essential to counter the growing threat of chronic diseases like obesity," he said.
Dr Javed Akram, President of the Pakistan Society of Internal Medicine, highlighted the severity of the problem, stating: "Nearly 38m people in Pakistan are currently living with obesitya condition now recognized as a disease by the World Health Organization. Its impact extends beyond individual well-being, posing significant challenges to public health infrastructure."
Rashid Rafiq Butt, General Manager of Novo Nordisk Pakistan, presented advancements in obesity treatment, saying: "We have introduced an innovative GLP-1-based therapy, which is already helping millions worldwide in managing weight effectively. However, to address obesity comprehensively in Pakistan, we must adopt a coordinated approach involving government bodies, institutions, communities, and non-governmental organizations."
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Business Recorder
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Access to diverse and nutritious food, especially for low-income and marginalized populations, continues to be a major challenge in Pakistan. Even middle-class families are often devoid of a proper food basket for their growing children. In Pakistan, where about 45 percent of the people, according to the World Bank, live below the poverty line, micronutrient deficiencies remain a very serious public health concern. According to dietitians, human body needs mandatory fortification of essential nutrients to address its widespread deficiencies. The World Health Organization also emphasizes, including fortified foods into consumer diets. A recent Gallup survey reveals an increase in medication supplementation from 20 percent in 2018 to 27 percent by 2025, which significantly affects healthcare costs, particularly medication expenses related to treating physical and mental illnesses. Micronutrient deficiencies usually cause night blindness, fatigue, anaemia, goitre (thyroid) and other conditions that stymie strong immune functioning and simultaneous cell growth. Inadequate intake of essential vitamins and minerals by the vulnerable populations even leads to increased morbidity. The National Nutrition Survey (NNS), conducted in 2018, shows that over 37 percent of households are food insecure, with only 14 percent of children receiving a meal with minimum dietary diversity, and 40 percent of children under 05 experience stunted growth. The survey also highlights widespread micronutrient deficiencies, with 26.5 percent of women being hypocalcaemic, 27 percent of the population lacking sufficient vitamin A, and approximately 41 percent of women suffering from anaemia or iron deficiency. Other findings highlighted in the NNS underscore the pressing need for heightened awareness and advocacy efforts to address the nation's nutritional challenges. 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2 days ago
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Lilly launches Mounjaro pen in India at $160 for starting dose, stepping up Novo rivalry
Eli Lilly on Wednesday launched the easy-to-use injector pen of its blockbuster weight-loss drug Mounjaro for 14,000 rupees (nearly $160) for its starting dose of 2.5 mg in India, stepping up competition with Novo Nordisk. Lilly said in June it received approval from India's drug regulator for its once-weekly Mounjaro Kwikpen, two days after Novo Nordisk launched Wegovy in multiple dose strengths in a similar pen device. Mounjaro Kwikpen is available in six dose strengths — 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg and 15 mg — with pricing calculated for a month's supply. The smallest two doses are priced at 14,000 and 17,500 rupees, respectively, and the 7.5 mg and 10 mg doses cost 22,000 rupees. The 12.5 mg and 15 mg doses cost 27,500 rupees, the company said. 'If we look at how the highest doses of Mounjaro and Wegovy are priced, it appears (that) Mounjaro's pricing is attractive and competitive,' said Vishal Manchanda from Systematix Institutional Equities. Wegovy's smallest doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg cost 17,345 rupees a month, and its highest doses of 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg cost 24,280 rupees and 26,015 rupees a month, respectively. Lilly began selling Mounjaro in India in late March for diabetes and obesity in 2.5 mg and 5 mg vials. Both drugs have seen strong demand since then, with sales in July doubling month-on-month. The drugs belong to a class of therapies known as GLP-1 receptor agonists that help control blood sugar and slow digestion, making people feel fuller for longer.
