Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy's price and availability
Updates China
Nov 19 (Reuters) -Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO has launched its wildly popular weight-loss drug Wegovy in more than 10 countriessince 2021 at prices ranging from $200 to almost $2,000 a month, as Eli Lilly LLY.N also began selling its rival drug in Europe and the U.S.
The Danish drugmaker is working to convince European governments and insurers to reimburse the drug, seeking to position it as more than a lifestyle drug.
It says its factories are running 24 hours per day but it has struggled to keep up with demand.
The weekly injections start at 0.25 milligrams of active ingredient semaglutide and gradually increase to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg.
Below are the countries where Wegovy has been launched, in order of launchdate. Prices are for a four-week maintenance dose:
UNITED STATES
Wegovy was launched in the U.S. in June 2021 but it took Novo until December 2022 to make all doses available there because of an initial production problem.
The list price of four-week treatment is about $1,350, regardless of dosage, not taking any coupons and rebates into account.
DENMARK
Wegovy was made available in all dose strengths in Denmark in early 2023. A four-week supply costs 2,370.60 Danish crowns ($343).
The public health care system does not reimburse weight-loss drugs and the country's largest private health insurer, which covers roughly half the population, stopped reimbursing it last year dueto high demand.
The government said in 2023 that reimbursingWegovy would cost the state as much as $4 billion each year.
NORWAY
Wegovy was launched in all dose strengths in early 2023 at a cost of 2,775.30 Norwegian crowns ($265).
The Norwegian Medicines Agency said in January 2023 it would not subsidise the drug, saying the price would be too high in relation to the documented health effects.
GERMANY
Wegovy debuted in its first major European market in July 2023, priced at 301.91 euros ($326).
The drug will not be reimbursed for about 90% of Germans covered by public health insurance plans, under a law that bans them from covering weight-loss drugs.
For the 10% with private health insurance, coverage varies. Insurer Allianz ALVG.DE has said it would pay if the patient had a medical need, while rival Debeka said its plans excluded weight-loss treatments.
BRITAIN
Wegovy was made available in Europe's most obese nation in September 2023, in what Novo called a "controlled and limited launch".
The company has not published the price of the drug which is available for free within the National Health Service's weight management scheme and for payment on the private market.
Simple Online Pharmacy, a UK-based online pharmacy chain, said it would sell Wegovy in the range of 199-299 pounds ($252-379), including a consultation with a general practitioner, prescription and dispensing costs.
ICELAND
Novo launched Wegovy in Iceland in October 2023.
TheIcelandic Medicines Agency has saidco-payment could be granted for obese patients with a weight-related co-morbidity.
SWITZERLAND
Novo launched Wegovy in Switzerland on Nov. 7, 2023, where residents are required to have private health insurance, at a monthly cost of 835 Swiss francs ($966).
The government does not require insurers to pay for the drug.
Three major private insurance companies - Sanitas, Helsana, and Groupe Mutuel - said they will not cover it because it is not on the government's compulsory list.
Groupe Mutuel said that it covers Wegovy for adults and adolescents who have its premium insurance plan.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (UAE)
Novo introduced Wegovy to the UAE on Nov. 20, 2023 at a monthly cost of 6,848 AED ($1,864).
The UAE, which offers free public healthcare to its citizens, has not said if it will pay for it. Expatriates must pay for private insurance.
JAPAN
Novo launched Wegovy in its first Asian country on Feb. 22, 2024with most patients paying 30% of medical expenses, in line with reimbursement for other drugs.
The monthly cost for patients will be 42,960 yen ($290).
SPAIN
Novo launched Wegovy on May 1, 2024 in Spain.
CANADA
Novo launched in Canada in May 2024.
AUSTRALIA
On Aug. 1, 2024, Wegovy was launched in Australia. The drug will not be subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Novo said.
CHINA
On Nov. 18, 2024, Novo Nordisk said it has launched Wegovy in China - Novo's second-biggest market behind the United States. The price for a one-month supply of the starter dose of Wegovy will be 1,400 yuan ($193.44), according to financial media outlet Yicai.
On June 25 Novo said the launch will initially target patients paying out-of-pocket for the drug.
SOURCE: Novo Nordisk unless specified otherwise
($1 = 6.8988 Danish crowns)
($1 = 10.4490 Norwegian crowns)
($1 = 0.9255 euros)
($1 = 0.7886 pounds)
($1 = 147.7300 yen)
($1 = 0.8635 Swiss francs)
($1 = 3.6724 UAE dirham)
($1 = 7.2375 Chinese yuan renminbi)
Compiled by Agata Rybska and Elviira Luoma in Gdansk;
Reporting by Maggie Fick in London, John Revill in Zurich, Alexander Cornwell in Dubai and Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen in Copenhagen;
Editing by Milla Nissi, Josephine Mason, Ed Osmond, Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Michael Erman and Louise Heavens
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