Global access models

Too many people still face barriers to the medicines and care they need. Access barriers are interconnected, so lasting change requires targeted action across products, markets, and partnerships. Progress in one area must connect with complementary action in the others – turning individual interventions into a more systemic pathway to equitable access.

Global Access Models brings together product, market, and partnership approaches to create scalable and sustainable pathways that expand equitable access to Novo treatments for underserved people at scale. We focus on challenges that require coordinated global or regional action, whilst complementing the work of local health systems, partners and Novo teams in individual countries.

Access can be strengthened before a medicine reaches a market. By considering storage, supply, and the realities of underserved settings earlier, product and portfolio decisions can help remove practical barriers later.

Insulin normally needs to be kept cool before use. In places where reliable refrigeration is not always available, this can make everyday diabetes management more difficult.

Novo has re-evaluated the thermal stability of two widely used human insulin products. Following a positive scientific opinion from the European Medicines Agency, we have been seeking national approvals for more flexible storage conditions in relevant low- and middle-income countries. If approved, this could make storage easier for people with diabetes and for health services in challenging settings.

Novo is committed to keeping low-priced human insulin available for people in resource-constrained settings.

The Access to Insulin Commitment covers 77 countries, as well as selected humanitarian organisations and wholesalers. Under the commitment, Novo guarantees a ceiling price of USD 3 per vial for human insulin in eligible countries and USD 2 per vial for organisations providing relief in humanitarian settings.

We also work with partners on distribution and healthcare-capacity barriers that can prevent low-priced insulin from reaching the people who need it.

Conflicts, displacement and humanitarian emergencies can severely disrupt access to essential medicines.

Through the Access to Insulin Commitment, we provide low-priced human insulin to eligible countries, humanitarian organisations and UN agencies. We work with partners such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, WHO and the Danish Red Cross to help support continuity of care during crises.

Through DonateAble, the Novo donation program, quality medicines that cannot be used commercially are redirected for humanitarian use, helping more people access treatment while reducing waste.

People living with type 1 diabetes need more than insulin. They also need timely diagnosis, blood-glucose monitoring, education and ongoing care.

ALIGN-T1D brings together governments, people with lived experience, industry, philanthropy and civil society to understand existing efforts, identify gaps and coordinate action. By aligning funding, expertise and initiatives, the alliance helps countries build on what works, avoid duplication and strengthen sustainable, country-led care.