Novo Nordisk Struggles to Keep Its Diabetes Drugs on the Market (And Its Sense of Humor)
After Trump Returns, the ‘N’‑Brand Finds Itself in a New (and Uncomfortable) Administration
November 7, 2025 – The Washington Post
When Donald J. Trump’s inauguration speech ended with a shout‑out to “American health, the best, the best!” it was clear that every pharmaceutical company was listening for the next wave of regulatory turbulence. For Novo Nordisk, the Danish diabetes‑driving giant, that wave felt more like a tsunami—except, of course, they were still wearing their trademark blue polo shirts.
The New “Trump‑tial” Landscape
In the first month of President‑Elect Trump’s second term, the Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a “Health Equity Initiative” that, after a quick Google‑search, turns out to be a 12‑point plan to streamline approvals for generic drugs. While generic-friendly in theory, the plan’s implementation—featuring a new “streamlined” application process—has left many big‑pharma innovators feeling like they’re trying to finish a crossword puzzle in a hurricane.
Novo, whose flagship product Novo‑M, has been a top‑seller for diabetes treatment, now faces an array of oddities:
- “Speedy” approvals that require a 10‑page application followed by a 5‑minute fax to the FDA. One FDA clerk admitted it feels “like a high‑stakes game of Whac‑A‑Mole.”
- Tariff re‑evaluations on imported raw materials, leading to sudden spikes in costs. When the new tariff on “specialty enzymes” hit, the company’s CFO described it as “the price of a luxury yacht now being sold as a sailboat.”
- A re‑imagined “health equity” definition that, to Novo’s surprise, includes an extra 2% of the drug price that must be returned to a charity of the manufacturer’s choosing. The company is now working to decide whether they’ll donate to a diabetic research foundation or to a “Support for Our Veterans in Diabetes” program—both noble causes, but neither quite a clear answer.
The Human Cost (and Human Comedy)
“The only thing harder than predicting the FDA’s next move is predicting whether Trump will pull another surprise tax cut that suddenly makes insulin cheaper for one demographic and not the other,” says Dr. Linda Chen, a senior endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic, who is currently waiting for her own “equity‑approved” version of Novo‑M. “We’re all just hoping it’s a simple “yes” or “no” that we can roll our eyes at.”
Employees at Novo’s headquarters in Bagsværd, Denmark, have started a support group called “Hush‑Hush: The Inside Joke.” The group meets weekly to share updates on the administration’s newest executive orders. “Last week we learned the new policy on ‘non‑essential’ drug manufacturing is basically a new word for ‘make sure you’re not making any drugs that are not made in a USA factory’,” jokes CEO Lars Rasmussen. “It’s like being told to eat healthy but only if you can get the food at a Walmart.”
Market Response
While the market has largely absorbed the shock, the company’s stock has seen a slight dip, as traders speculate whether the new tariff will push Novo to shift some production to Mexico. “If you’re in the business of selling insulin, you know how important it is to keep the supply chain intact—especially when tariffs feel like a surprise exam,” said analyst Mark Patel of Goldman Sachs.
Investors, however, appear confident that Novo’s robust research pipeline will weather the political storm. “The company’s pipeline for new insulin analogues is already 30% ahead of schedule,” says Patel. “We think the political noise is temporary. Besides, Trump’s signature move is to make everything bigger—and they’re going to need to make insulin larger to keep up.”
The Takeaway
So what’s the bottom line for Novo Nordisk? If you’re a company that’s used to playing the “long‑term, patient‑centred” game, the new administration is a reminder that politics can turn into a surprise round of roulette at any moment.
One thing is certain: Novo will keep rolling out its products, keep its employees—who are now part of a cross‑Atlantic support network—and keep their trademark blue polo shirts as a subtle reminder that, even in a changing world, some things stay constant.
(As a side note, the company has announced it’s also launching a “Trump‑Friendly” version of its website that includes a section titled “Why Trump Loves Diabetes Care.” It’s currently under review by the legal department—so no promises there.)