Novo insulin pen retreat risks drug access to kids with diabetes, report says

In an article for Bloomberg, Satviki Sanjay writes about the Access to Medicine Foundation's new report, which narrows in on critical gaps in diabetes care faced by children and young people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

The article begins by highlighting Novo Nordisk’s ongoing phase-out of easy-to-use insulin pens in certain countries, a move that is pushing patients toward less user-friendly alternatives like vials and syringes. This issue is covered in a newly released report by the Foundation, which examines how pharmaceutical companies—Biocon, Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and Sanofi—can address critical gaps and expand access to diabetes care for children and young people (CYP).

Claudia Martínez, Director of Research at the Access to Medicine Foundation, speaks to Satviki about the growing access gap in insulin delivery and how some of it could be addressed by biosimilar insulin-pen producers like Biocon. With Novo Nordisk stepping back from insulin pen supply in certain markets, Claudia highlights that this shift creates a significant opportunity for biosimilar manufacturers to scale up production and meet the growing demand for affordable diabetes care.

Against the backdrop of rising global diabetes rates, the need for reliable and affordable treatment is more urgent than ever. CYP living in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) face significant inequities in the diagnosis and treatment of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The article cites the Foundation’s report, which states: “Without sustainable access to diabetes care, they are unable to manage this chronic condition, leading to severe outcomes that are entirely preventable.”