Diabetes Management in India: The Role of GLP-1, Public Health Strategies & Pharma-NGO Collaborations

Diabetes is no longer just an individual health issue—it’s a growing public health crisis. Every day, more & more people are being diagnosed, and the numbers are strikingly getting higher. Pharmaceutical companies are constantly developing new medications to manage the disease, but the reality is that diabetes is more than just a condition to be treated with pills or injections—it requires a broader, more holistic approach.

In India alone, the situation is staggering. As of 2023, 101 million people are living with diabetes, and another 136 million are prediabetic, meaning they’re just steps away from a full-blown diagnosis (ICMR-INDIAB Study, 2023). That’s a sharp increase from 77 million cases in 2019, and projections show we could see over 134 million diabetic individuals by 2045 (IDF Diabetes Atlas, 2021). Even more concerning? Over half of these people don’t even know they have diabetes—putting them at risk for severe complications like heart disease, kidney failure, and nerve damage (WHO Global Report on Diabetes, 2022).

Governments, public health experts, dieticians, NGOs & other stakeholders are stepping in to address this crisis, launching awareness programs, making medications more accessible, and pushing for preventive measures. But is that enough? Public health strategies must focus not only on treatment but also on prevention—empowering people to make healthier choices before diabetes takes hold.

The Role of GLP-1 in Diabetes Management: Recent Indian Data

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, including Ozempic, semaglutide, Mounjaro & other medications like- Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and Dulaglutide (Trulicity) have emerged as a crucial class of drugs in diabetes management. These medications not only improve blood sugar control but also aid in weight loss, making them highly beneficial for individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity.

GLP-1 receptor agonists work by:

·       Enhancing insulin secretion in response to meals

·       Suppressing glucagon release, reducing blood sugar spikes

·       Slowing gastric emptying, leading to prolonged satiety

·       Supporting cardiovascular health by reducing the risk of heart disease

In India, the acceptance of GLP-1 receptor agonists has been growing. According to a 2023 study conducted by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), patients using GLP-1 medications such as semaglutide and liraglutide experienced a 1.5%–2.0% reduction in HbA1c levels over six months, along with an average weight loss of 6–10 kg (AIIMS, 2023).

However, cost remains a major barrier to widespread adoption. While newer GLP-1 drugs offer superior outcomes, their high price points (ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹14,000 per month) making them inaccessible to a large portion of the diabetic population. Addressing this affordability issue is crucial to expanding their benefits to more patients across the country. This stark difference in pricing raises concerns about equitable access to advanced diabetes care.

What Can the Government Do?

To make these life-changing drugs accessible, the government can take several steps:

Price Regulations: Implementing price caps on essential diabetes medications to ensure affordability.

Insurance Coverage & Subsidies: Expanding government insurance schemes (such as Ayushman Bharat) to cover newer diabetes treatments.

Public-Private Partnerships: Encouraging collaborations between pharma companies and government initiatives to provide free or subsidized medications to low-income groups.

Incentivizing Local Production: Promoting the manufacturing of quality generic versions of advanced diabetes drugs to lower costs.

Diabetes-Specific Health Schemes: Launching targeted financial assistance programs to support long-term diabetes management for underprivileged populations.

Public Health Strategies for Diabetes Management

Tackling diabetes requires more than just prescribing medication. Governments, NGOs, and healthcare organizations are implementing several key strategies:

Early Screening & Diagnosis: Catching diabetes early can change the game. Routine blood sugar tests, especially for high-risk individuals, can make all the difference (American Diabetes Association, 2022).

Education & Awareness: National campaigns that inform people about diabetes risk factors and prevention strategies are crucial. In addition, people already on innovative diabetes medications should be aware of the right way of consumption of these medicines along with intake of nutritious diets.

Community-Based Lifestyle Programs: Encouraging healthier eating, physical activity, and weight management at the community level.

Policy Interventions: Governments are stepping in with sugar taxes, stricter food labeling regulations, and advertising restrictions on unhealthy foods (Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, 2022).

Better Healthcare Access: Expanding clinics, capacitating diabetes educators, dieticians & others, subsidizing medications, and making healthcare more affordable for people who need it most.

Recognizing the severity of the problem, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched a nationwide initiative to screen and provide standard care to 75 million people with hypertension or diabetes by 2025 (National Health Mission, India, 2023).

How Pharma Companies Can Step Up: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Pharmaceutical companies have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to be part of the solution. Many are already taking steps through CSR initiatives, such as:

·       Making Medications Affordable: Companies can provide free or lower-cost diabetes drugs, including semaglutide, for low-income patients.

·       Funding Awareness & Prevention Programs: Public education is key, and pharma companies can support large-scale campaigns with support from NGOs to inform people about diabetes risks and lifestyle changes.

·       Community Health Initiatives: Collaborating with local NGOs to run free diabetes screening camps and nutrition workshops.

·       Investing in Research & Development: NGOs can conduct grassroots studies on diabetes trends, qualitative and quantitative studies helping pharma companies tailor their treatments to local needs. Besides, some studies can also be conducted in academic institutions, public health colleges, medical colleges boosting more and more rigorous research studies.

·       Mobile Health Clinics & integrating Digital Health: Deploying mobile diabetes care units and digital health innovations in underserved regions may offer screening, counselling, and medication along with digital health coaching, meal plans, and medication reminders, accessible to all.

·       Public Awareness Campaigns on Diabetes Management: Joint efforts to educate the public digitally on diabetes management through digital media, community workshops, and outreach programs.

·       Sugar Free School Programs: Joint efforts through collaboration with schools can help in creating awareness about diabetes through rigorous intervention in health and dietary changes. These programs work because they combine the reach and trust of NGOs with the resources and expertise of pharma companies.

Final Thoughts: A Multi-Faceted Approach is Key

There’s no single solution for diabetes. While innovative and similar medications are changing the landscape of treatment, real progress comes from a combination of modern medicine, lifestyle changes, and public health initiatives. Governments, NGOs, and pharmaceutical companies must work together to make diabetes management accessible and effective for everyone.

If you or a loved one is dealing with diabetes, don’t lose hope. With the right mix of medical support, lifestyle adjustments, and awareness, living a full and healthy life with right knowledge regarding diabetes management is