Novo Nordisk to discontinue Levemir insulin in U.S. market By Reuters

(Reuters) – Novo Nordisk (NYSE:) said on Wednesday it would discontinue its long-acting insulin Levemir in the United States, citing manufacturing constraints, reduced patient access and available alternatives.

The Danish drugmaker said supply disruptions would start in mid-January, followed by discontinuation of the Levemir injection pen in April and of Levemir vials by the end of 2024.

Novo has another long-acting insulin, Tresiba, on the market.

“Novo Nordisk will phase out, then permanently discontinue Levemir in the U.S. on December 31, 2024,” the company said in a statement. It cited “global manufacturing constraints, significant formulary losses impacting patient access effective in January 2024, and the availability of alternative options in the U.S. market” as key factors in the decision.

The announcement comes eight months after Novo said it would cut U.S. list prices for several of its insulin products next year, including a 65% reduction in the list price of Levemir, in response to mounting political pressure over insulin…