Wegovy, Ozempic costs fell within the first quarter
LONDON, Could 2 (Reuters) – Novo Nordisk has seen the worth of its massively common weight-loss drug Wegovy and diabetes drug Ozempic fall in america as volumes and competitors have elevated, a senior government mentioned on Thursday.
Wegovy costs in america have been “barely down” within the first quarter and Novo expects additional decreases via the remainder of 2024, Chief Monetary Officer Karsten Munk Knudsen mentioned on a name with media.
On Ozempic, “we do see continued discount in worth” within the U.S. market, Knudsen later mentioned on an investor name, additionally citing elevated volumes and competitors.
Ozempic comprises the identical lively ingredient as Wegovy however is a sort 2 diabetes therapy.
The feedback got here after the Danish drugmaker raised its full-year outlook as a consequence of explosive demand for the weekly injection.
U.S. employers and medical insurance plans try to gradual spending on weight reduction and diabetes medicine akin to Wegovy and Ozempic. Medical health insurance firms have imposed necessities akin to prior authorization or step remedy, which mandates that folks first attempt inexpensive medicine. In some circumstances, employers and insurers are denying protection altogether.
North Carolina’s medical insurance program for state workers has discontinued protection for the prescription weight-loss drugs Wegovy and Saxenda starting April 1.
Contributing: Ken Alltucker
