Pharma firms’ focus on weight-loss drugs could put insulin supply at risk, experts warn

The Access to Medicine Foundation has warned that pharmaceutical companies’ growing focus on lucrative GLP-1 weight-loss drugs could draw attention and investment away from insulin and other diabetes treatments. Its chief executive said a major company leaving the insulin market could threaten supply, particularly for people with type 1 diabetes and those with insulin-dependent type 2 diabetes.

An estimated 589 million adults have diabetes worldwide, and 81% live in low- and middle-income countries, where access to insulin and newer GLP-1 medicines is limited. The foundation’s report found that only 10 of 25 medicines in development in this area target type 1 diabetes; it also noted that Novo Nordisk plans to phase out some older products, including insulin pens. High prices and limited availability mean GLP-1 drugs remain out of reach for many people in poorer countries, despite their expanding use for obesity.