MSF Protests Novo Nordisk Decision to Discontinue Insulin Pens in South Africa

Since 2014, South Africa's public health system has provided insulin in pen format, making it easier for patients to manage their insulin dosage accurately and conveniently. However, Novo Nordisk's decision to discontinue the production of insulin pens has forced patients to revert to using syringes, complicating diabetes care. For millions who overwhelmingly prefer pens due to their convenience, safety, and reduced risk of dosing errors, this transition poses significant challenges and risks.

On World Diabetes Day (14 November), Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is organizing a protest outside Novo Nordisk’s Johannesburg offices. MSF is calling on the corporation to reverse its decision and urging all insulin manufacturers to price pens affordably—at just $1 (R18.24) per pen.

Impact of Insulin Pen Shortages on Diabetes Care Candice Sehoma, Advocacy Advisor for MSF’s Access Campaign, highlighted the severe consequences of the shift from pens to syringes. According to an MSF study, 82% of people with type 1 diabetes prefer insulin pens. For many, insulin pens have been the standard since their introduction in 2014. The transition to vials and syringes not only complicates administration but also increases the risks of underdosing or overdosing. Patients must manually draw and measure their dosage from a glass vial, a process that is both error-prone and cumbersome. Additionally, the vial-and-syringe system is far less portable than the compact, pre-filled insulin pens.