Pakistani weight-loss and, diabetes medicines match multinational brands at quarter of cost: experts
Islamabad: In Pakistan, where millions of families struggle to make ends meet and cannot afford costly treatment, a local study found that Pakistani biosimilar medicines deliver diabetes control and weight loss comparable to their multinational counterparts.
The findings were presented on Sunday, at the concluding day of PESCON 2026, the Pakistan Endocrine Society’s 24th annual conference, held at Serena Hotel, Islamabad, from October 9 to 11.
Medical experts said Pakistani alternatives cost about one quarter of multinational brands, potentially making treatment accessible to poorer patients.
They stressed that affordability was essential for people requiring continuous treatment for diabetes and obesity. Lower prices, they said, could help patients obtain medicines regularly and sustain treatment.
Consultant endocrinologist Dr Nauman Niaz presented the research, conducted with consultant diabetologist and obesity specialist Dr Muhammad Umar Wahab. The 52-week study followed 1,000 Pakistani patients, with balf receiving a locally manufactured GLP-1 medicine and the rest its multinational reference product.
Researchers reported nearly identical improvements in blood glucose and body weight.
According to the presentation, HbA1c, a measure of average blood glucose, fell 1.42% with the local medicine and 1.39% with the reference product.
About 97% of the reduction recorded at one year had been achieved by week 26 and was sustained thereafter. Average weight loss was approximately 5.4 kg in both groups, representing reductions of 6.3% and 6.2%, respectively.
At least 5% weight loss was achieved by 63.4% of patients receiving the local medicine and 61.7% receiving the international product.
Researchers also reported similar cardiometabolic changes, treatment persistence and recorded adverse events, with 92.9% of participants remaining on treatment at week 52.
The study was conducted in routine clinical practice and compared one local product, described by researchers as a biosimilar, with its reference medicine. Its findings provided local evidence on outcomes among Pakistani patients receiving the two treatments.
Calling Pakistan the “diabetes capital of the world”, Dr Niaz said a vast majority of patients were poor or unable to afford modern treatments. His presentation cited 34.5 million adults with diabetes and an adult prevalence of 31.4%.
He also cited estimates of 65 million people with metabolic disease and around 110 million who were metabolically unwell. He said treatments must be within patients’ financial reach if they were to purchase medicines regularly and manage their conditions.
Experts identified Get Pharma as one of Pakistan’s leading pharmaceutical companies offering modern GLP-1 medicines at more affordable rates. They said lower cost alternatives could offer a practical treatment option for poor and lower middle-class patients when clinically appropriate.
Renowned endocrinologist Dr. S. Abbas Raza described prescribing costly branded medicine to someone unable to afford it as a sin”. He called for a sustair able model ensuring a continuous supply of the medicines patients required.
Prof Saeed A. Mahar lauded the study and its Pakistani patient data, calling for more local research to guide treatment decisions. Prof Khurshid Ahmad Khan thanked Pakistani pharmaceutical companies for introducing affordable, effective alternatives to expensive modern medicines, helping poorer patients manage their diseases and continue treatment.
