As Ozempic, Wegovy Take Priority, Novo Nordisk Winds Down Insulin Portfolio In India
New Delhi: Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has announced plans to phase out Human Mixtard, India's top-selling insulin brand. This decision is part of the company's global strategy to prioritize newer, patented therapies such as Ozempic and Wegovy.
Human Mixtard, despite being under price control, generates approximately Rs 800 crore annually for Novo Nordisk in India. The discontinuation will also affect other products in the Rs 5,000 crore insulin market like Actrapid, Insulatard, Insulin Detemir, Levemir, and Xultophy, primarily available in pre-filled disposable pens and cartridges (Penfill and FlexPen).
According to a recent media report in The Times of India, Novo Nordisk has informed its marketing partner, Abbott India, that these products will be discontinued once current stocks are depleted, a process expected to take about six months.
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The company will continue to offer Human Mixtard, Actrapid, and Insulatard in vial form, which requires administration via syringes. However, TOI reports that this shift may limit access for patients who prefer pen devices due to their convenience and ease of use.
The Economic Times reports that this move aligns with Novo Nordisk's focus on introducing its newer therapies, Ozempic and Wegovy, to the Indian market later this year. These drugs have shown significant promise in managing diabetes and aiding weight loss.
The discontinuation of these insulin products marks a significant shift in India's diabetes care landscape, prompting healthcare providers and patients to adapt to the evolving treatment options.
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