US senators, including Jeanne Shaheen, Raphael Warnock, and Elizabeth Warren, have voiced concerns over Novo Nordisk’s (NYSE: NVO; CPH: NOVO-B) decision to discontinue the sales of its long-acting insulin brand Levemir (insulin detemir) in the US market. The company announced in November 2023 its intention to cease distribution by the end of 2024, citing manufacturing constraints, reduced patient access, and availability of alternatives like Tresiba (insulin degludec).
Levemir, first approved in the US in 2005, is a long-acting insulin analogue used for once- or twice-daily injection to provide a baseline insulin function for up to 24 hours. The decision by Novo Nordisk came shortly after the company reduced insulin prices by up to 75% and introduced a cap on insulin costs at no more than USD 35 per month. At the time, Novo Nordisk stated that it was confident patients would have access to alternative treatments in the US.
The senators wrote to Novo Nordisk in April 2024 to protest the decision, expressing alarm that the move failed to consider patient access to affordable substitutes. Reuters reported that a meeting between Shaheen’s office and Novo Nordisk was scheduled for this week, though details were not provided, and Novo Nordisk has not confirmed the meeting.
Novo Nordisk has indicated it is struggling to free up manufacturing capacity for its new generation of GLP-1-targeted anti-obesity and type 2 diabetes treatments, Wegovy/Ozempic (semaglutide). The company’s investment plans for 2024 include a significant increase in production investment to meet the growing global demand for its medicines, with a particular focus on expanding capacity for current and future injectable treatments for obesity and other serious chronic diseases.- Flcube.com
