Durban — Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has voiced its strong condemnation of Novo Nordisk’s recent decision to cease the production of human insulin pens, a move that critically undermines diabetes care for millions in low- and middle-income countries.
Instead, the pharmaceutical giant has opted to ramp up manufacturing of human insulin vials intended for syringes, disregarding the needs of patients who depend on the more user-friendly and preferred pen devices.
In a statement released by MSF, they stated that “this controversial” decision comes during an era of unprecedented financial success for Novo Nordisk, which boasts a market valuation of around half a trillion dollars.
“The company is clearly prioritising the production of high-priced GLP-1 medications, like Ozempic and Wegovy, designed for diabetes and obesity treatment in wealthier nations. While these lucrative products cater to affluent markets, they leave a stark vacuum in access to essential diabetes management tools for those in resource-limited areas.”
MSF’s recent survey, conducted in partnership with T1International, revealed that an overwhelming 82% of individuals with diabetes favour insulin pens over syringes due to considerations like dosing accuracy and the diminished social stigma associated with their use.
Despite the World Health Organization’s designation of insulin pens as essential medicines, they remain largely unavailable in low and middle-income nations, primarily due to prohibitive costs.
Research published by MSF in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) indicates that insulin pens could be profitably priced at a mere $0.93 each—a pivotal figure that challenges the justifications presented by Novo Nordisk for their decision.
The ramifications of this shift have already been felt in places like South Africa, which has been progressively transitioning from vials to insulin pens in their public healthcare system.
In a baffling turn of events, the company chose not to submit a bid for supplying human insulin pens to South Africa for 2024, opting instead to offer vials, thereby exacerbating access issues for patients.
In the wake of Novo Nordisk’s retreat, Sanofi has announced ongoing discussions to supply affordable analogue insulin pens to the country; however, specifics on pricing have yet to be revealed.
The global insulin market is predominantly controlled by three firms—Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi—who collectively dominate an astonishing 90% of the landscape.
“As profit margins balloon for these companies due to soaring sales from insulin and GLP-1 drugs, MSF is calling for urgent reforms to bridge the access gap.”
Candice Sehoma, Advocacy Advisor for MSF’s Access Campaign, expressed her deep concerns regarding the inequality perpetuated by Novo Nordisk, stating:
“We are alarmed by Novo Nordisk’s double standard toward people with diabetes in low and middle-income countries. While the corporation profits from supplying expensive insulin and semaglutide pens to wealthier nations, it is withdrawing human insulin pens from those who need them the most. This decision perpetuates unequal standards of care, pushing patients in resource-limited settings to rely on vials and syringes, a method largely abandoned in high-income countries.”
She went on to demand that all insulin manufacturers, Sanofi included, ensure that insulin pens are made available at a price point of $1 each, asserting, “The time has come to end profiteering on a life-saving medicine that has been available for more than a century.”
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