Novo Nordisk's injectables are in short supply

The supply of NovoRapid·Novomix·Levemir has been limited since April·May

Pharmacies, safety reserves are already depleted…switching to substitute prescription for two months (July·August)

Doctors and pharmacists speculate that reduced diabetes drugs may result from increased production of Wegovy

"Caused by technical issues at some overseas manufacturing facilities…will strive to normalize supply"

Product photo of NovoRapid inj

Novo Nordisk's diabetes insulin injections are experiencing a short-term shortage, causing supply difficulties in prescribing settings in Korea.

 

The products with limited supply include NovoRapid Flexpen·Novomix Flexpen·Levemir Flexpen.

 

Novo Nordisk sent a notice to distributors, pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics late last month, informing them of the supply limited period (April·May) and the expected resolution period (August·September).

 

According to pharmacies, product supply has been inconsistent since around March, and despite efforts to secure stock, safety reserves are already depleted.

 

Consequently, even if prescriptions are issued over the next two months, a substitute prescription will be unavoidable.

 

Considering that diabetic patients are typically sensitive to medication changes, the inconvenience for doctors, pharmacists, and patients due to alternative dispensing is expected to increase significantly.

 

One anonymous pharmacist in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, stated, "The current shortage seems to be caused by adjustments in production volume of existing products due to the explosive increase in demand for Wegovy." He asked Novo Nordisk to provide clear explanation.

 

The basis for this speculation among medical professionals lies in the phenomenal popularity of the obesity drug Wegovy, which was launched domestically in October of last year.

 

According to IQVIA data, Wegovy's sales of KRW 60.3 billion in Q4 of last year quickly climbing up to the top of the obesity drug market.

 

The obesity drug market size in Q3 2024 was KRW 47.4 billion, but it surged by 97.9% to KRW 93.8 billion in just one quarter following the launch of Wegovy.

 

In Q1 of this year, Wegovy's sales reached KRW 79.4 billion, capturing a 73.2% share of the overall obesity drug market.

 

Wegovy, which received FDA approval in April 2023, is a GLP-1 analog containing semaglutide, confirmed to reduce HbA1c.

 

Novo Nordisk developed Wegovy, a once-weekly obesity treatment using semaglutide, after observing weight loss effects in patients during clinical trials of GLP-1 class diabetes drug candidates.

 

Wegovy, which received FDA approval in April 2023, is a GLP-1 analog containing semaglutide, confirmed to reduce HbA1c.

 

Novo Nordisk developed Wegovy, a once-weekly obesity treatment using semaglutide, after observing weight loss effects in patients during clinical trials of GLP-1 class diabetes drug candidates.

 

Regarding the overall situation, Novo Nordisk stated, "This supply shortage is due to reduced production at a filling plant caused by technical issues at some overseas manufacturing facilities and is unrelated to quality·safety." Novo Nordisk added, "We are making our utmost efforts to normalize product supply as soon as possible through close and active cooperation between the headquarters and our Korean subsidiary."