Why is Novo Nordisk considered controversial in the United States?
Novo is one of three companies supplying most of the world's insulin, and a Senate investigation found evidence of lockstep price increases; its GLP-1 drugs cost many times more in the US than in Europe; and it settled a case over downplaying a mandated cancer warning.
Novo Nordisk's controversies centre on price. It is one of three companies supplying the vast majority of US insulin, and a 2021 Senate investigation found evidence that it and Sanofi raised insulin prices within hours or days of each other. The same investigation reported that Novo's board voted down a proposed insulin price decrease because of concerns about PBM revenue.
Its GLP-1 drugs Ozempic and Wegovy have been criticised for costing many times more in the US than in Europe. Novo also paid $58.65 million in 2017 over how it communicated a cancer risk for Victoza. Novo argues that its net prices are far lower than list prices, that it invests heavily in research and manufacturing, and that it has expanded access through price cuts and government deals.