Senators are demanding to know why Novo Nordisk discontinued Levemir, one of the nation's three long-acting insulins.
In an April 16 letter, New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren asked the Denmark-based drugmaker why Levemir was removed from the U.S. market.
In March 2023, Novo Nordisk announced a reduction in list prices for several insulin solutions, including Levemir. On Nov. 8, before the new price went into effect, the company said it would discontinue two solutions, with supply expected to deplete by April 2024.
Novo Nordisk told USA Today the discontinuations are because of global manufacturing constraints, the availability of other insulins, and pharmacy benefit managers and payers limiting access to Levemir on their drug formularies.
The senators asked the drugmaker to provide details on the formulary and supply chain issues. Novo Nordisk was also questioned about its plan to avoid patients' gaps in coverage, whether it would consider producing Levemir until a biosimilar enters the market, and if its other long-acting insulins will see a price decrease.