Health News Roundup: E-cigarette use by US high school students falls in 2023; Novo Nordisk flags big 2024 sales boost despite Wegovy curbs and more

Danish drugmaker Novo, which overtook LVMH as Europe's most valuable listed company this year, posted record operating profit and sales for the third quarter, underscoring Wegovy's phenomenal success. Novo Nordisk: obesity drugs priority over century-old focus on insulin Novo Nordisk said on Thursday treating obesity with its weight-loss drug Wegovy as a precursor to type 2 diabetes was a priority for the company, continuing the Danish drugmaker's shift away from its century-long focus on insulin.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

E-cigarette use by US high school students falls in 2023 -survey

E-cigarette use among U.S. high school students dropped significantly this year to 10% from 14%, according to a government survey on Thursday, even as the potentially addictive nicotine devices remained the most used tobacco product among teens and children. The 2023 school-based survey, conducted between March and June, was the first clear sign of a drop in the use of vapes and other e-cigarettes by students, typically aged 14-18 years old, since the COVID-19 pandemic when year-over-year comparisons were difficult.

Indiana attorney general reprimanded over abortion doctor remarks

A divided Indiana Supreme Court on Thursday publicly reprimanded Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita for statements he made about a doctor in the state who performed an abortion on a 10-year-old rape victim from Ohio. The court found that Rokita violated professional conduct rules for lawyers when he described Dr. Caitlin Bernard in a July 2022 Fox News interview as an "abortion activist acting as a doctor" who had failed to report past child abuse cases.

Novo Nordisk flags big 2024 sales boost despite Wegovy curbs

Novo Nordisk forecast another year of double-digit sales growth for its two most popular drugs on Thursday and said it will boost U.S. supplies of Wegovy next year, as it battles to meet soaring demand for the weight-loss drug. Danish drugmaker Novo, which overtook LVMH as Europe's most valuable listed company this year, posted record operating profit and sales for the third quarter, underscoring Wegovy's phenomenal success.

Novo Nordisk: obesity drugs priority over century-old focus on insulin

Novo Nordisk said on Thursday treating obesity with its weight-loss drug Wegovy as a precursor to type 2 diabetes was a priority for the company, continuing the Danish drugmaker's shift away from its century-long focus on insulin. The company on Thursday reported record sales and operating profits for the third quarter driven by demand for Wegovy, even as the company cautioned shortages will continue in the short to medium term.

Why brewers aren't worried about Wegovy users drinking less beer

Global brewers AB InBev and Carlsberg this week played down concerns among some investors that demand for weight-loss drugs may lead to a sharp drop in beer drinking. Huge demand for new treatments such as Novo Nordisk's Wegovy has prompted questions about the implications for a range of industries, including brewers, and sparked share sell offs in companies involved in everything from food to healthcare.

Novo Nordisk, Lilly see insatiable demand for weight-loss drugs

Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly both expect juggernaut sales for their diabetes and weight-loss drugs to extend into coming years - limited only by their availability. The two companies have been the primary beneficiaries of the global boom in obesity drugs, ballooning their market values and reshaping expectations not just in the healthcare industry, but also for sellers of sugary snacks, nutritional aids and packaged foods.

Novo Nordisk: 80% of U.S. Wegovy patients with insurance paying less than $25/month

The majority of U.S. patients with health insurance coverage taking Novo Nordisk's powerful weight-loss drug Wegovy are paying less than $25 per month, a senior executive said on Thursday. Doug Langa, Novo's vice president for North America, said most major pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and health plans were covering the hugely popular weekly injection.

Insulet lifts sales growth forecast on resilient demand for insulin pumps

Insulet Corp on Thursday raised its full-year revenue growth forecast after posting strong third-quarter sales, banking on strong demand for its tubeless insulin pumps. Shares of the company rose 8% in extended trading.

Moderna reins in 2023 COVID vaccine forecast, shares tumble

Moderna on Thursday said its 2023 sales would only hit the low end of its $6 billion to $8 billion forecast, reflecting weaker demand for COVID-19 vaccines, and its shares slumped 8%. The vaccine maker also pushed back to 2025 the launch of its flu shot, which it had previously said it expected to be available in 2024.

Lilly's blockbuster Mounjaro boosts third quarter results, supply issues persist

Surging demand for Eli Lilly's diabetes drug Mounjaro, which is also being used off-label for weight loss, led to a surprise third-quarter profit, but the drugmaker on Thursday said it expects supply constraints for some time as it adds manufacturing capacity. Lilly shares have rallied over 60% this year, making it the world's most valuable healthcare company, as investors have bet on Mounjaro's success. Shares were up another 5% in early trading on Thursday.