Novo Nordisk has revealed that it retains approximately 60% of the list price of its popular diabetes and obesity drugs – Ozempic and Wegovy – after paying rebates and fees to intermediaries in the United States. This information was disclosed in a letter to Senator Bernie Sanders as part of an ongoing investigation into the comparatively higher prices of these drugs in the U.S. compared to other countries.
The company emphasized the complexity of the U.S. healthcare system, highlighting that a portion of the list price is allocated to middlemen. Novo Nordisk did not provide immediate comments in response to a request from Reuters. Despite Senator Sanders’ efforts to lower the cost of Wegovy, the company’s focus is on the reimbursement structure rather than the list price.
Ozempic and Wegovy belong to the GLP-1 class of treatments that assist in regulating blood sugar levels and slowing down stomach emptying. Market analysts project that the GLP-1 drug market could reach $150 billion by the early 2030s, expanding beyond diabetes and obesity treatments as supply constraints ease. In the United States, a 2 milligram dose of Ozempic is priced at $935.77, while Wegovy is listed at $1,349.02 per package.
Novo Nordisk anticipates that net prices for both drugs will continue to decrease under current market conditions, which may have implications for investors interested in this sector. The company’s statement highlights
