Democratic Senators are scheduled to hold discussions with Novo Nordisk following the withdrawal of its long-acting insulin Levemir. The pharmaceutical company’s decision to discontinue Levemir has attracted attention from lawmakers, with Senators Jeanne Shaheen, Raphael Warnock, and Elizabeth Warren expressing their concerns.
According to an exclusive report by Reuters, sources familiar with the matter revealed that aides for the Democratic senators will meet with representatives from Novo Nordisk to address the discontinuation of Levemir. The decision to pull the insulin product from the U.S. market prompted the senators to reach out to the Danish drugmaker, seeking clarification on the move.
Although Novo Nordisk initially denied any scheduled meeting with the senators, a spokesperson from Shaheen’s office confirmed the upcoming discussion. The company announced the discontinuation of Levemir in November 2023, citing various factors such as global manufacturing constraints and formulary losses affecting patient access.
Despite facing scrutiny over the withdrawal of Levemir, Novo Nordisk emphasized that the decision was not influenced by the success of its other products, including Ozempic and Wegovy. These brands target type 2 diabetes and weight loss, respectively, and have been subject to pricing concerns raised by lawmakers.
In response to calls for lower drug prices, Novo Nordisk previously agreed to reduce insulin product prices by up to 75% following pressure from Senator Bernie Sanders. The company’s pricing strategies for Ozempic and Wegovy have also come under scrutiny, leading to an investigation by the Senate health committee into the perceived high costs of these treatments.
The meeting between Democratic senators and Novo Nordisk signifies ongoing efforts to address concerns surrounding pharmaceutical pricing and access to essential medications. As discussions unfold, stakeholders are closely monitoring the outcomes of these engagements and their potential impact on the healthcare landscape.
