Wed Sep 25 09:16:05 UTC 2024: ## Novo Nordisk Faces Backlash Over Levemir Discontinuation

**Washington, D.C.** – Novo Nordisk, a leading pharmaceutical company, has come under fire for its decision to discontinue sales of its long-acting insulin Levemir in the United States. The company’s CEO, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, told a Senate panel Tuesday that the decision was made due to limited manufacturing capacity and decreased insurance coverage.

Jørgensen explained that after Novo Nordisk slashed Levemir’s list price by 65% last year, insurance coverage for the drug plummeted from 90% to 35%. This resulted in reduced demand for the insulin, forcing the company to prioritize manufacturing other insulin products for its 30 million global customers.

The decision has been met with criticism from senators and patients with Type 1 diabetes who prefer Levemir over other long-acting insulins. Senator Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire, described Levemir as a “critical insulin” and expressed concern about the impact on millions of Americans who rely on it. She also questioned Novo Nordisk’s commitment to finding alternative manufacturers for the drug.

Jørgensen maintained that the company has not found another manufacturer willing to produce Levemir. However, he stated that Novo Nordisk is open to collaborating with any interested parties, including the government, to ensure continued access to the medication.

Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, echoed the concerns of many families who rely on Levemir, calling its discontinuation a “real blow.”

The decision comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of insulin pricing and access. In April, three Democrat senators criticized Novo Nordisk for prioritizing profits over patient access.

As the December deadline for Levemir sales approaches, Novo Nordisk faces increasing pressure to find a solution that ensures patients with Type 1 diabetes continue to have access to affordable and effective long-acting insulin. Senator Hassan urged the company to be transparent about its efforts to find a manufacturing partner before the sales halt.

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