FDA Approves First Generic of Daily GLP-1 Diabetes Injection

The medication, a lower-cost alternative to the brand-name drug Victoza, aims to improve blood sugar control when used alongside diet and exercise.

The headquarters of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in Silver Spring, Md., on Nov. 4, 2009. Jason Reed/Reuters

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first generic version of a daily injectable GLP-1 medication for patients aged 10 and older with Type 2 diabetes.

The medication, a lower-cost alternative to the brand-name drug Victoza, or liraglutide, aims to improve blood sugar control when used alongside diet and exercise. The approval was granted to Hikma Pharmaceuticals, a British company.