Abbott, MSD Partner to Boost Diabetes Drug Distribution Nationwide

• Abbott and MSD partner to distribute sitagliptin-based diabetes drugs across India
• The alliance leverages Abbott's wide distribution to boost MSD's market reach
• To ensure long-term patient access to trusted diabetes treatments

In a significant move that is intended to improve access to diabetes care in India, global pharmaceutical leaders Abbott and MSD Pharmaceuticals have entered into a strategic partnership to distribute sitagliptin and its combinations across the country. Sitagliptin, a DPP4 inhibitor used in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes, is promoted by MSD under the brand names Januvia, Janumet, and Janumet XR.

This alliance is aimed at gaining access to Abbott's extensive distribution network and high concentration in India's health space to amplify the presence of MSD's sitagliptin brands. The tie-up is being done while competition in the segment has picked up with MSD's sitagliptin patent expiration in mid-2022, triggering an avalanche of generic equivalents from more than 60 drug companies.

Sitagliptin was initially launched in India by MSD in 2008 and has continued to be a steady treatment for the control of Type 2 diabetes. While MSD lost the exclusivity, the company asserts that its brands continue to reign in the market. Before this new partnership, MSD had been distributing under affiliation with Sun Pharmaceutical Industries. 

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The Indian sitagliptin market is now worth Rs. 950–1,000 crore and comprises a sizeable proportion of the overall Rs. 20,700 crore market for diabetes drugs.

India is also confronted with a possible health emergency, with more than 101 million people living with diabetes and another 136 million being pre-diabetic. Non-communicable diseases such as diabetes account for almost 60 percent of total Indian deaths.

With our strong diabetes portfolio and extensive reach, Abbott is poised to make it simpler for more individuals to control their disease effectively," said Ambati Venu, Vice President, Abbott India.

Rehan A Khan, Managing Director MSD India Region, stressed that the association would build a sustainable business model with guaranteed patient access to MSD's established diabetes treatment.