Novo Nordisk to cease distribution of Tresiba in Germany

Novo Nordisk has decided to cease distribution of its once-daily basal insulin Tresiba (insulin degludec) in Germany.

The decision follows a negative outcome of price negotiations with the GKV-Spitzenverband, the German national association of statutory health insurance funds. In order to ensure a safe switch to another insulin treatment for the 40,000 people with diabetes currently using Tresiba, Novo Nordisk will continue supplying the product until the end of September 2015.

Decision to cease distribution of Tresiba in Germany has no implications for other countries

“We are very sad that it has not been possible to reach a price agreement with the insurance fund,” said Jakob Riis, executive vice president in Novo Nordisk. “Tresiba offers important benefits for many people with diabetes as recognised by the European health authorities (EMA), among others. The GKV-Spitzenverband decided nevertheless to set the price at the level of ordinary human insulin, a product which was launched in the 1980s. If we were to accept this price, we would undermine our ability to research and develop medical innovations for people with diabetes. That would not be in the best interest of the millions of people with diabetes for whom current treatments are insufficient to control their disease. We deeply regret the uncertainty and inconvenience this situation creates for the affected patients and physicians in Germany, and will do our utmost to support them in the process of switching patients to another insulin treatment.” 

Tresiba has been launched in 30 countries. The decision to cease distribution of Tresiba in Germany has no implications for the other countries where the product is available.

Tresiba (insulin degludec) is a once-daily basal insulin that provides an ultra-long duration of action beyond 42 hours.