Protesters demand that Novo Nordisk reduces price of analogue insulin pens

JOHANNESBURG - As the world marks Diabetes Day, several organisations representing people living with the condition have been protesting against insulin manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, over its discontinuation of human pens to manage the disease.  

The disgruntled group demonstrated in Sandton on Thursday, led by humanitarian organisation, Doctors Without Borders.

In a memorandum of demands, they called for a price reduction on analogue insulin pens, which patients are forced to use at an exorbitant price. 

Novo Nordisk's public affairs director, Thabeng Leping, accepted the memorandum on behalf of the company and explained their constraints.

"We have not stopped the supply of insulin to the South African public sector. What we have run into is a supply constraint and we have continued to supply these human insulin pens to those who are more vulnerable. Vulnerable patients are considered patients who have arthritis, patients who are elderly, children and also patients who are visually impaired."