Novo Nordisk Shifts Focus: Ending Human Insulin Pens

Novo Nordisk is phasing out human insulin pens to focus on obesity and diabetes injections, maintaining insulin availability in vials. Modern insulin is now predominant in wealthy nations due to superior blood sugar control, while low-income countries still rely on human insulin. Criticism arises over unequal access to diabetes care.

Novo Nordisk is gradually ending production of human insulin pens, a spokesperson confirmed to Reuters. Instead, the company is channeling investments into manufacturing its popular obesity and diabetes injection treatments.

Most Diabetes patients in wealthy nations, including the United States, now opt for modern insulin forms over human insulin, owing to better blood sugar management. Meanwhile, human insulin remains commonly used in low and middle-income countries due to its affordability and production simplicity.

As the demand for Novo Nordisk's innovative medicines, such as Wegovy for weight loss and Ozempic for diabetes, continues to rise, the Danish company faces criticism from organizations like Medicins Sans Frontieres. Such groups argue that the focus on more sophisticated products creates disparity in diabetes care between high-income and poorer nations.

(With inputs from agencies.)