Today, T1International and a coalition of global diabetes advocates released an open letter to the incoming CEO of Novo Nordisk, Maziar Mike Doustdar, urging the company to use this leadership transition as a turning point for people living with diabetes worldwide.

The letter, signed by organizations and individuals from across the globe, demands that Novo Nordisk, the largest insulin manufacturer in the world, adopt concrete, accountable policies that uphold the human right to health and ensure insulin is accessible to everyone who needs it.

“Insulin is not a luxury. For those of us living with insulin-dependent diabetes, it is as essential as oxygen,” states the letter, signed by over 500 organizations and #insulin4all advocates. “As the world’s leading producer of insulin, Novo Nordisk holds a profound responsibility.”

Three pharmaceutical companies, Novo Nordisk, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi, control over 90% of the global insulin market. For decades, their pricing strategies, product discontinuations, and lack of transparency have made it difficult or impossible for many people around the world to access the insulin they need to survive.

Two-thirds of people living with type 1 diabetes reported having difficulty accessing insulin in a 2024 survey. In low- and middle-income countries, families often spend up to two-thirds of their income on insulin and blood glucose monitoring supplies.

Novo Nordisk has publicly committed to respecting human rights. But real accountability is still missing.

Advocates are calling on the company’s new CEO to make good on these commitments by acting on four urgent priorities:

1. Prioritize access: Guarantee affordable, uninterrupted access to all Novo Nordisk insulin products globally, especially in low-resource and high-need settings.
2. Commit to fair practices: Ensure transparent pricing, and implement a robust plan when discontinuing any insulin product, including technology transfer and risk assessments.
3. Lead with integrity: Align public messaging with real-world impact, stop performative branding, and support fair access in all policy and lobbying efforts.
4. Engage meaningfully: Open direct, ongoing dialogue with the diabetes community, especially those most impacted by lack of access and affordability.

“Novo Nordisk has the power, and therefore the responsibility, to model ethical leadership in global health,” said Shaina Kasper, Executive Director at T1International. “This leadership transition is an opportunity to redefine Novo Nordisk’s legacy and center people over profits.”

If patients are facing an urgent need to access insulin, please see our insulin access and affordability resource.