By skyforbes 
Insulin is a crucial hormone for controlling blood sugar levels and is a vital treatment for people with type 1 diabetes and many with type 2 diabetes. The insulin crisis has been exacerbated in recent years by several factors, including changes in pharmaceutical companies’ drug production strategies and the increasing demand for weight-loss medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro. These drugs, which primarily aim to assist in weight loss, have been prioritized over insulin production, especially by major pharmaceutical companies like Novo Nordisk.
In October 2024, The Guardian published an in-depth article about how Novo Nordisk, one of the leading insulin manufacturers, is reducing production of human insulin pens to prioritize the production of weight-loss drugs. Additionally, the decision to phase out these pens in favor of more advanced technologies has led to a shortage in the market, affecting primarily developing countries where type 2 diabetes is a growing epidemic. The shortage is not limited to one country but affects nations worldwide, such as the United States, Brazil, Mexico, and countries in Africa and Asia, where diabetes rates are alarmingly high.
Al Jazeera covered the insulin shortage issue in the United States, explaining how the lack of affordable insulin affects millions of patients who depend on the medication to manage their glucose levels. In countries like Brazil, the cost of insulin already represents a significant challenge for low-income families, making access to proper treatment a privilege for the few. In India and many parts of Africa, insulin shortages are a reality that threatens the health of an increasing population of people with diabetes.