Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy's price and availability
Adds Brazil, Italy, France, updates currency conversions
Nov 20 (Reuters) -Novo Nordisk NOVOb.CO has launched its wildly popular weight-loss drug Wegovy in more than 15 countries since 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, as it seeks 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 launch date. 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.
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 ($335.57).
The public health care system does not reimburse weight-loss drugs and Denmark's largest private health insurer, which covers roughly half the population, stopped reimbursing it last year due to high demand.
The government said in 2023 that reimbursing Wegovy 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 ($251.65).
The Norwegian Medicines Agency said in January 2023 it would not subsidise the drug, as 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 ($318.76).
It 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 excludes weight-loss treatments in its plans.
BRITAIN
Wegovy was made available in Europe's most obese nation in September 2023, in what Novo called a "controlled and limited launch".
Novo has not published the price of the drug, which is available for free within the NHS's weight management scheme and for payment on the private market.
UK-based chain Simple Online Pharmacy has said it will sell Wegovy for 199-299 pounds ($378.8-$252.1), which includes a consultation with a general practitioner, prescription and dispensing costs.
ICELAND
Novo launched Wegovy in Iceland in October 2023.
The Icelandic Medicines Agency has said co-payment could be granted for obese patients with a weight-related co-morbidity.
SWITZERLAND
Novo launched Wegovy in Switzerland, where residents are required to have a private health insurance, in November 2023, at a monthly cost of 835 Swiss francs ($944.25).
The government does not require insurers to pay for the drug.
Two major private insurance companies - Sanitas and Helsana - have said they will not cover the treatment, while Groupe Mutuel said would cover it for adults and adolescents who have its premium insurance plan.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Novo launched Wegovy in the United Arab Emirates in November 2023, at a monthly cost of 6,848 UAE dirham ($1,864.62).
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, 2024, with most patients paying 30% of medical expenses, in line with reimbursement for other drugs.
The monthly cost for patients is 42,960 yen ($275.99).
SPAIN
Novo launched Wegovy in Spain on May 1, 2024.
CANADA
Novo launched the drug in Canada in May 2024.
BRAZIL
Novo launched Wegovy in Brazil in July 2024, according to CNN Brasil.
ITALY
Wegovy has been available in Italy since the summer of 2024.
AUSTRALIA
On Aug. 1, Wegovy was launched in Australia. It will not be subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Novo said.
FRANCE
Wegovy was launched in France in October 2024. The price is expected to be 270-330 euros per month and France's national insurance will not cover that, Euronews reported. Contacted by Reuters, Novo confirmed the information was correct.
CHINA
Novo said on Nov. 18 it had launched Wegovy in China. The price for a one-month supply of the starter dose will be 1,400 yuan ($193.23), financial media outlet Yicai reported.
On June 25, Novo said the launch would initially target patients paying out of pocket.
($1 = 7.0643 Danish crowns)
($1 = 11.0283 Norwegian crowns)
($1 = 0.9471 euros)
($1 = 0.7893 pounds)
($1 = 0.8843 Swiss francs)
($1 = 3.6726 UAE dirham)
($1 = 155.6600 yen)
($1 = 7.2451 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 Josephine Mason, Ed Osmond, Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Michael Erman and Louise Heavens, Milla Nissi
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