Mumbai (PTI): If you are a diabetic, there is some good news for you. A multinational pharmaceutical company has introduced a new low-cost, hassle-free patent protected drug to check the disease.

"The drug mainly for type II diabetic patients is once a day pill, meal independent with no dosage adjustments and can be prescribed by even doctors at primary health centres as it does not have major side effects like hypoglycemia (lower glucose level than normal) and weight gain," Dr Sethu Reddy, Regional Director, scientific affairs, Merck & Co Inc US told the media here during a workshop on Saturday.

"A true drug for the mass, the new molecule called Sitagliptin provides a novel mechanism of working and therefore more promising of Indian patients," eminent diabetologist Dr C V Mohan of Madras Diabetes Research foundation said.

Sitagliptin, the first of a new class of drugs known as DPP-4 (dipeptidyl peptidase-4) inhibitors sold under the name 'Januvia' is a real breakthrough, Mohan said, adding "this molecule enhances the body's own ability to lower blood sugar (glucose) when it is elevated."

Dr Sashang Joshi, an endocrinologist with Lilavati Hospital here said, "This new drug modifies the gut (intestine) peptide 'incretin' and makes the pancreas smarter to stimulate insulin without straining itself."

The mechanism of action of DPP-4 inhibitors is distinct from that of any currently available class of glucose lowering agents, Mohan said. Now it is available in India too and is the first cheap patented drug, he said.