Anvisa approves generic obesity and diabetes medications from EMS

Brazil's National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has approved two new generic registrations for liraglutide, an active ingredient used in injectable pens for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The medications, manufactured by the Brazilian pharmaceutical company EMS, were published in the Official Gazette on Tuesday.

The generic versions are subcutaneous injectable solutions with a concentration of 6 mg/mL. Under Brazilian law, these products must be sold under the name of the active ingredient rather than a commercial brand and are required to be priced at least 35% lower than their reference products.

While the approval expands availability and is expected to reduce costs for these treatments, Anvisa has not yet established a specific date for when the pens will be available in pharmacies or the exact retail prices. Liraglutide belongs to the class of GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work by stimulating insulin release, reducing glucose production in the liver, and slowing stomach emptying to increase satiety.