Novo Nordisk has reduced staffing on a production line at it’s chartwell, north Carolina, manufacturing plant, internal postings show, impacting jobs as the pharmaceutical giant navigates supply constraints for its blockbuster weight-loss drug, Wegovy, and diabetes medication, Ozempic. The cuts, revealed in workforce postings dated May 10, affect positions related to a pen injector assembly line, according to the documents.
The job reductions come as Novo Nordisk struggles to meet soaring demand for its GLP-1 receptor agonists, leading to ongoing supply limitations and rationing for patients. While Novo nordisk has invested heavily in expanding manufacturing capacity, including at the Chartwell facility, these recent cuts suggest immediate adjustments are being made to align production with current output. The company has not disclosed the exact number of positions eliminated, but postings indicate roles were removed across multiple shifts.
Internal postings detail the elimination of “Pen Assembly Operators” and “Technicians” on the line, with some employees being offered option roles within the plant. One posting states the company is “restructuring” the line to “optimize efficiency.” Novo Nordisk confirmed the changes in a statement, stating the company is “continuously evaluating and adjusting its operations to best meet patient needs and ensure long-term sustainability.”
The Chartwell plant is a critical facility for Novo Nordisk’s US operations,responsible for the final stages of filling and packaging its injectable drugs. The company has been working to increase capacity at the site, announcing a $2.3 billion investment in 2023 to expand production. Though, scaling up manufacturing for complex biologics like Wegovy and Ozempic takes time, and the company has repeatedly cautioned that supply will remain tight throughout much of 2024.
Demand for Wegovy, in particular, has outstripped supply since its launch in June 2022, fueled by growing awareness of its efficacy in weight management and widespread social media attention. The drug’s limited availability has frustrated patients and healthcare providers, prompting calls for increased production and alternative treatment options. Novo Nordisk anticipates increased capacity from expansions at both Chartwell and other facilities later this year, but the immediate impact of the production line adjustments remains unclear.
