Novo Nordisk will provide every CDE across Australia with a NovoPen 6 demonstration device and educational resources to help clients and address the organisation's Ryzodeg FlexTouch shortage.
The shortage began in June with the Therapeutic Goods Administration posting in its Medicine Reports Database that the product is expected to be impacted until 5 June 2024.
In a statement on 5 July, Novo Nordisk said it was experiencing supply constraints on its FlexTouch pens due to an 'unprecedented global demand for other medicines using the FlexTouch delivery device'.
It is recommending people using FlexTouch to switch to its insulin cartridge administered via its new NovoPen 6 device—to be provided at no cost.
'NovoPen 6 is a new, smart insulin pen that automatically records insulin dosing information at each administration,' its statement reads.
The company stated that the active medicine Ryzodeg 'does not change with conversion from the FlexTouch to NovoPen 6 and it does not affect the efficacy and safety profile of treatment'.
People using FlexTouch may access the new device through the centralised NovoPen 6 Pharmacy Program and will need to register via their CDEs or participating community pharmacies.
To help this transition, Novo Nordisk representatives will provide every CDE with a NovoPen 6 demonstration device and associated resources to help educate patients.
Please contact your Novo Nordisk representative if you have not received your demonstration device.
For the company’s full update, including how to register, please click here.