The CEO of Novo Nordisk, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, is defending the high cost of the company’s blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy in America by stating that they ultimately save taxpayers money on obesity-related costs, which amount to over $400 billion annually in the U.S. Jørgensen refuted accusations of operating as a drug cartel and is scheduled to testify at a Senate committee hearing in September about the pricing of the drugs in the U.S.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has criticized Novo Nordisk for charging significantly more for Ozempic and Wegovy in the U.S. compared to other countries. The discrepancy in prices has raised concerns about the company “ripping off” consumers. While the cost of obesity-related care in the U.S. is substantial, experts like Stacie Dusetzina from Vanderbilt University suggest that the current prices of these drugs may not lead to overall savings in healthcare spending.
Jørgensen acknowledges the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system and points to insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) as factors contributing to high out-of-pocket costs for patients. He plans to address these issues at the upcoming hearing and notes that Novo Nordisk offers patient support programs to help those struggling with affordability. Cynthia Cox from KFF raises concerns about the long-term costs and benefits of using these drugs for weight loss.
Ultimately, the discussion around the value of these medicines for patients and the need for policy change to address the high costs in the U.S. healthcare system are central to the ongoing debate surrounding the pricing of Ozempic and Wegovy.
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