New Drug Approved by NHS for Treating Type 2 Diabetes
A new drug that is reportedly 20 per cent more effective than Ozempic has been approved by the National Health Service (NHS) to treat patients with Type 2 diabetes. The drug, tirzepatide, has received the green light from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) for use in the health service. This approval means that up to 180,000 people with diabetes could benefit from the medication.
Tirzepatide is similar to semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, as it is also taken as a once-weekly injection. However, unlike existing medications, tirzepatide targets two receptors to promote the secretion of insulin. In studies, the drug, which is branded as Mounjaro for use in diabetes patients, has shown to significantly reduce blood sugar levels in 81 to 97 per cent of people, a statistically significant improvement compared to other medications. Semaglutide, for instance, achieved just under 80 per cent reduction in blood sugar levels.
One trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine revealed that tirzepatide was successful in lowering blood sugar levels to a threshold seen in people without diabetes in 51 per cent of participants, compared to just 20 per cent for semaglutide.
Furthermore, tirzepatide also works as a weight-loss jab and is recommended for patients with Type 2 diabetes who have an obesity-related condition such as high blood pressure. It is especially beneficial for those with a body mass index (BMI) over 35 or for those who are unable to use insulin injections.
The drug’s manufacturer, Eli Lilly, is currently seeking approval for tirzepatide to be used for weight loss on the NHS. The decision from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is expected in the coming months. Trials have shown that tirzepatide could potentially reduce body weight by up to 26 per cent, surpassing Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, which is expected to achieve around 15 per cent weight loss. However, tirzepatide is not projected to be available in the UK until the beginning of 2024 due to high demand for the product.
Approximately 4.5 million people in the UK have Type 2 diabetes. Many individuals suffering from the condition face shortages of GLP1 medication, including semaglutide, and are therefore forced to switch to alternatives or insulin. Douglas Twenefour, head of care at Diabetes UK, expressed concern about current medication shortages, emphasizing that they are causing stress and uncertainty for many people with Type 2 diabetes. Twenefour welcomed the approval of tirzepatide but called for more action to ensure the ongoing and sufficient supply of these medications to individuals with the condition.
The drug will only be available to patients who have not been able to control their diabetes with oral antidiabetic drugs but has been approved for wider patient groups in other countries. Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at Nice, highlighted the significance of tirzepatide in the treatment of difficult-to-manage Type 2 diabetes and emphasized that it provides an effective and good value treatment option for those living with the condition.
David Webb, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer at NHS England, praised the approval of tirzepatide and described it as great news, especially during a time when there is disruption to the supply of key drugs used for treating people with diabetes. He added that the new drug will be an invaluable addition to other available treatments and can be prescribed alongside diet and exercise.