In June, “AKRIKHIN” has extended its antidiabetic portfolio. The novel drug (INN repaglinide) is referred to peroral medicines for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus stimulating insulin production. The drug is launched by “AKRIKHIN” in the Russian market within the company’s strategy aimed at provision of patients with affordable drugs for the treatment of socially significant diseases. The drug is included in the Essential Drug List.

Despite existence of multiple forms of diabetes mellitus, in Russia, as well as in other countries, the main part of patients is represented with people suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (85% of the total number of patients with diabetes mellitus). Over the period from 2002 to 2010, the increment of prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus was 5,5%, type 2 diabetes mellitus – 36,9%. For the effective treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, it is necessary to use drugs with integrate influence on all aspects of diabetes mellitus management.

The medicine produced by “AKRIKHIN” with repaglinide active substance influences positively on all parameters of glucose metabolism management. A characteristic feature of repaglinide molecule is that it facilitates rapid release of insulin in respond to food intake, which leads to more physiological assimilation of carbohydrates received by the organism. The medicine is considered comparable with the “short-acting insulin”: it rapidly decreases the level of glucose in blood at the expense of stimulation of insulin release from pancreatic cells. The drug’s effect becomes apparent 5-10 minutes after administration, the maximal effect is achieved in 40-60 minutes, with duration of effect being 3−4 hours. This property of the active substance allows the medicine intake immediately before the main meal. In case of missed meal, the medicine should not be administered. Thus, higher safety of the treatment is achieved for patients with the second type diabetes mellitus, who can have irregular meals – people with active lifestyle, elderly patients etc. Besides, administration of repaglinide renders specific influence particularly on the level of glucose in the organism after food intake promoting safer achievement of target treatment parameters.

The new medicine is an in-house product developed by the Center of Research and Development of «AKRIKHIN». The Company implements the whole cycle of manufacture of the drug – from development to release of the finished product. The new medicine will be available in three dosage forms, which makes possible choosing a form most appropriate for a patient. The medicine made by «AKRIKHIN» is the first branded generic in the Russian pharmaceutical market. The product developed by «AKRIKHIN» is equivalent to the original medicine, at that its price makes it much more affordable. It shows economical reasonability of use of the Russian medicine and goes in line with the strategy of «AKRIKHIN» company, the main activity of which is delivery of affordable medicines to the Russian market for the treatment of socially significant diseases.

Within the group of sugar-decreasing remedies, the new medicine made by the company with INN repaglinide has become the seventh product. All antidiabetic drugs of «AKRIKHIN» are autologous products developed by the company’s Center of Research and Development.