Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, CEO of Novo Nordisk, recently commented on the company's performance in the face of a 7% fall in its shares. Despite this, he announced an upward revision to forecasts for the remainder of the year, with a 2% increase in sales and a 4% increase in operating profits, adjusted for asset impairment. This confidence is underpinned by a significant increase in prescriptions in the US, which doubled in the first six months of the year.

The CEO acknowledged that second-quarter results were below expectations, partly due to accounting adjustments for rebates. However, he encouraged investors to view these results in the context of a broader annual view and confidence in the company's growth trajectory.

Regarding the shortage of Wegovy, its anti-diabetes drug, the shortage notification has been lifted for all doses except the initial dose. This will enable the company to control supplies and ensure continuous, reliable treatment for new patients.

Jorgensen also spoke about the company's strategy for the US market. He explained that in order to make their medicines available to a larger number of patients, particularly through the Medicaid programme (a medical assistance programme for people on low incomes in the United States), the company often had to offer larger discounts. He stressed that this is a normal development, and that the financial department should soon be reassuring investors about the company's sustained growth.

Finally, he mentioned the development of injectable and oral treatments for diabetes and obesity. He mentioned the acquisition of a promising asset from Canadian company Zymeworks and expressed confidence in Novo Nordisk's ability to remain a leader in an increasingly competitive market.

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