Novo Nordisk Applauds Adoption Of World Diabetes Day Resolutions By U.S. Congress

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 22 Nov 2007 - 0:00 PDT

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On the eve of World Diabetes Day, leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives passed House Concurrent Resolution 211 supporting the goals and ideals of World Diabetes Day, which is recognized annually on November 14. Then, the next day, on World Diabetes Day itself, the U.S. Senate followed suit, passing Senate Resolution 382. More than 20 million Americans have diabetes, and that number is expected to double by 2025.

Passage of the U.S. resolution marks the first time Congress has officially supported World Diabetes Day since it was established in 1991 by the World Health Organization and the International Diabetes Federation, of which Novo Nordisk is a member. It represents an important milestone in a busy month of activities taking place as part of National Diabetes Month.

As the lead industry supporter of the resolution, Novo Nordisk and its National Changing Diabetes(R) Program have worked closely with many of the resolution sponsors, including Reps. Donald Payne (D-N.J.) and Donald Manzullo (R-Ill.) and Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Pete Domenici (R-N.M.), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Norman Coleman (R-Minn.) to help focus attention on diabetes and make the disease a top national health care priority.

"With over 80 years in diabetes care, Novo Nordisk commends the leadership and commitment of Representatives Payne and Manzullo and Senators Stabenow, Domenici, Lautenberg and Coleman, and the entire Congress. The attention and urgency these resolutions will bring to diabetes prevention and treatment efforts in the United States is a positive step forward in our shared passion of changing diabetes," said Martin Soeters, president of Novo Nordisk Inc.

The United Nations General Assembly passed a World Diabetes Day Resolution on December 20, 2006, recognizing diabetes as a chronic, debilitating and costly disease that is associated with major complications and poses severe risks for families, countries and the global community.

In addition to supporting diabetes awareness on a national level, Novo Nordisk is active at the state level, working closely with elected officials and diabetes leaders to introduce proclamations in support of World Diabetes Day in Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, New Jersey and West Virginia.

For more information on Novo Nordisk and the National Changing Diabetes(R) Program visit novonordisk-us.com and ncdp.com.

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a health care company with an 84-year history of innovation and achievement in diabetes care. The company has the broadest diabetes product portfolio in the industry, including the most advanced products within the area of insulin delivery systems. In addition to diabetes care, Novo Nordisk has a leading position within areas such as hemostasis management, growth hormone therapy, and hormone therapy for women. Novo Nordisk's business is driven by the Triple Bottom Line: a commitment to economic success, environmental soundness, and social responsibility to employees and customers. With headquarters in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 25,800 employees in 79 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries. Novo Nordisk's B shares are listed on the stock exchanges in Copenhagen and London. Its ADRs are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol 'NVO'. For global information, visit novonordisk.com; for United States information, visit novonordisk-us.com. Further information:

Novo Nordisk
http://www.novonordisk.com