Pill of promise

Oral semaglutide promises not just blood sugar control, but heart protection, weight loss and a new approach to chronic disease

- BY POOJA BIRAIA

A single pill taken once a day. No injections, no fuss. That is the promise of oral semaglutide, known to many as the oral version of Ozempic, the GLP-1 receptor agonist that has taken the diabetes world by storm. First hailed as a breakthrough in blood sugar control, this new class of medication is now being recognised for something even more significant: its potential to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

Two experts-Dr Harish Kumar, professor and head of endocrinology at Amrita Hospital, Kochi, and Dr Sanjay Kalra, a leading diabetologist based in Karnal-offer insights on what this drug can do, and what needs to change to make it accessible to millions who need it.

"Oral semaglutide represents a new era," says Dr Harish Kumar. "It is not just about lowering blood glucose anymore-it tackles obesity, protects the heart, benefits the kidneys, and even improves conditions like fatty liver disease.

We have never had a molecule like this before." Belonging to the GLP-1 analogue class of drugs, oral semaglutide mimics a hormone that regulates insulin, appetite and inflammation. In lay terms, it helps the body respond better to meals, while also reducing hunger and promoting weight loss.