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

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/pharma-firms-focus-on-weight-loss-drugs-could-put-insulin-supply-at-risk-experts-warn/
- Published: 2026-11-10T13:00:53+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-10T13:23:13+00:00
- Original publisher: The Guardian (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/nov/10/pharma-firms-weight-loss-drugs-insulin-glp-1-ozempic-mounjaro
- Topics: Business, Health, Medicine, Politics, World

## Key points

- Experts warn weight-loss drugs may distract firms from insulin.
- 81% of adults with diabetes live in lower-income countries.
- Only 10 of 25 medicines in development target type 1 diabetes.

## Summary

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.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.