SAVE LEVEMIR
In March 2023 Novo Nordisk announced they would decrease the price of Levemir (detemir) insulin by 65% effective January 2024. Then on November 8, 2023, Novo Nordisk announced they would discontinue Levemir insulin by the end of 2024, and to expect supply disruptions as early as January of 2024.
About this campaign
1) Global manufacturing issues. Yet Novo is able to spend $16.5 billion dollars to increase capacity to produce weight loss drugs.
2) Decreasing patient coverage: In 2021 over 1 million patients in the US used Levemir. There are fewer now. Levemir has been removed from many formulary plans. This is not out of choice. People want to use Levemir but are increasingly unable to access it.
3) "Because we are confident that patients in the US will be able to find alternative treatments." The alternatives are not adequate in all cases, and exhibit different qualities and side effects than Levemir.
Reasons for the discontinuation given by Novo Nordisk:
What we aim to achieve
For Novo Nordisk to slow the discontinuation until a biosimilar is widely available, and to cooperate in the development of a biosimilar. This could also be done through licensing Levemir to another company, or having another company package and distribute Levemir until a biosimilar is available.
How you can help
We are volunteers and could use more help.
· Contact your government representatives and let them know this matters to you and loved ones of yours.
· Reach out to Novo Nordisk and kindly ask for assistance.
. Follow our social media.
Why does Levemir matter?
If one decides to not use an automated insulin pump, there are only two basal insulin alternatives to Levemir (detemir):
1) Glargine (Lantus, Semglee, Rezvoglar, Basaglar, Toujeo U300):
· Has a pH of 4 - acidic solutions injected into the body sting/burn.
· Glargine insulin can result in a potentially deadly side effect, a Lantus Low, mentioned in the Lantus product monograph on page 45: "Hypoglycemia can result from injection directly into a blood vessel."
· Has been shown in randomized controlled trials to produce more weight gain than detemir.
2) Degludec (Tresiba):
· Lasts much longer (42 hours as compared to 14 hours for Levemir), which can make achieving good blood glucose control difficult in those with basal insulin needs that fluctuate more rapidly.
· Some experience upper respiratory issues and earaches.
For many, the glargine and degludec insulins work well. For others, Levemir (detemir) is essential.
