1618 GMT - News that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration declared the shortage of Novo Nordisk's weight-loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic over marks an important step toward a normalized obesity-drug market in the U.S., Barclays analysts say in a note. The move should eventually lead to pharmacies or physicians no longer producing copies of the branded drugs, Barclays says. Nevertheless, the exact date when copycat versions of the drugs come off market remains somewhat uncertain, the analysts say. The FDA designation shows the Danish pharmaceutical company's efforts to scale up production have reached a level that it can now supply the market for type 2 diabetes and obesity, Barclays says. Shares rise 5.8%. (adria.calatayud@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 21, 2025 11:18 ET (16:18 GMT)

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