Overview

• Italy’s medicines regulator approved the once-weekly insulin, making it the first therapy of its kind to be reimbursed under the national health service.
• Patients will reduce injections from 365 per year to 52, a shift expected to improve adherence and lower the risk of diabetes complications.
• Studies highlight an environmental upside through decreased medical waste and reduced carbon emissions from fewer disposable devices.
• Patient and physician groups praise the innovation but caution that some regions have yet to finalize reimbursement agreements.
• The health ministry has initiated a unified pharmaceutical legislation process to standardize access and close regional coverage gaps.