SA is grappling with an insulin pen shortage, leaving thousands of diabetic patients in public healthcare systems reliant on vials - which are more complicated to use - instead of pens, reported GroundUP (15 Nov 2024)
This follows the decision of Novo Nordisk - previously the sole supplier of human insulin pens to the Department of Health - not to bid for the tender that began in May 2024.
Meanwhile, MSF (Doctors without Borders) accuses Novo Nordisk of prioritising the production of lucrative GLP-1 drugs, like Wegovy and Ozempic, over insulin pens. These drugs, used for weight loss, have propelled Novo Nordisk to become Europe’s most valuable company but diverted resources from essential insulin production.