Beijing (awp/afp) – Wegovy, Novo Nordisk’s successful obesity treatment, is now available in China, the company confirmed to AFP on Tuesday, as the country fights against this scourge which affects a large part of of its population.
A Novo Nordisk spokesperson confirmed to AFP that Wegovy was “now available in China” for the treatment of obese adults and people with at least one overweight-related comorbidity.
The use of Wegovy was approved by Chinese authorities in June. According to Chinese media, the first prescription in a public hospital was issued on Monday in Shanghai.
China’s rapid economic development has led to notable improvements in health in recent decades, but this growth has also been accompanied by an explosion in weight-related disorders.
Nearly half of all adults in the country are overweight or obese, according to a study validated by a panel of scientists last year and published by Chinese state media.
A one-month Wegovy treatment would cost around 1,400 yuan ($193) in China, compared to the US list price of $1,349.
The Danish pharmaceutical company developed two revolutionary treatments for diabetes and obesity – Ozempic and Wegovy – which made it the industry powerhouse in Europe.
Novo Nordisk announced last week that it improved its quarterly net profit by 21% to 27.3 billion crowns ($3.94 billion) in the third quarter.
The company says it now expects an increase of 23% to 27% in its turnover for the whole year, thus slightly revising its previous forecasts of 22% to 28%.
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