Novo Nordisk Fails to Disclose Payments to Healthcare Groups
Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, maker of popular weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Saxenda, has come under fire once again for failing to fully disclose payments to healthcare groups and patient organizations. According to a recent investigation by the Prescription Medicines Code of Practice Authority (PMCPA), Novo Nordisk misreported, under-reported, or did not disclose £1.2 million in funding provided to various organizations. The investigation was prompted by a complaint from researchers at the University of Bath and Lund University, which revealed that while Novo Nordisk had voluntarily disclosed £609,027 in payments in 2023, a further £635,000 remained unreported.
The company attributed the discrepancies to reliance on “best estimates” in its voluntary admission. This marks a recurring issue for the pharmaceutical company, which admitted in 2023 to failing to disclose £7.8 million in payments to over 150 organizations between 2019 and 2021. The PMCPA criticized Novo Nordisk’s governance, highlighting the need for transparency and ethical practices within the pharmaceutical industry. Payments were also misattributed, including £338,435 that was inaccurately listed as paid to the Association for British HealthTech Industries rather than the World Obesity Federation.
Calls for Transparency and Industry Reform
The findings have sparked widespread concern among healthcare professionals. Researchers leading the investigation, including Dr. Emily Rickard of the University of Bath, emphasized the troubling timing of the undisclosed payments, which coincided with the UK launch of Novo Nordisk’s blockbuster weight-loss drugs. “It raises serious questions about transparency and accountability,” Dr. Rickard stated. Similarly, Dr. Piotr Ozieranski called for a “total overhaul” of transparency standards in the UK pharmaceutical industry.
He warned that the company’s failure to disclose payments damages trust not only in Novo Nordisk but in the broader healthcare system. “When a company as large as Novo Nordisk doesn’t disclose payments, it undermines the integrity of the entire system,” Dr. Ozieranski said. In response to the investigation, Novo Nordisk expressed its commitment to transparency, stating that it has taken measures to ensure accurate reporting moving forward. “We have implemented mitigating actions to future-proof how we track and disclose transfers of value,” a spokesperson said.
Concerns Over Weight-Loss Drugs and Patient Safety
The controversy surrounding Novo Nordisk’s financial disclosures comes as pharmacy leaders issue fresh warnings about the sale of weight-loss jabs in the UK. GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Wegovy and Ozempic, work by reducing food cravings and have surged in popularity, with hundreds of thousands of patients estimated to be purchasing them privately via online pharmacies. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) raised alarms over the risks posed by unregulated sales and inappropriate prescribing practices. In a recent investigation, it was found that some online sellers have set unrealistic targets, requiring clinicians to process more than 20 patients per hour.
The NPA also reported instances of weight-loss drugs being prescribed to individuals with a history of eating disorders or low body weight, sparking further concerns over patient safety. The NPA has urged stricter regulations and has written to the General Pharmaceutical Council to address gaps in current rules that allow medicines to be supplied without adequate checks. “The risk to patient safety remains high,” the organization warned, advising consumers against purchasing jabs from unregulated sellers, which could involve counterfeit products. The ongoing scrutiny underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the pharmaceutical industry and highlights the need for tighter regulations to ensure patient safety.
