((Automated translation by Reuters, please see disclaimer https://bit.ly/rtrsauto))
(Added Brazil, Italy and France, updated currency conversions)
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 per month, while Eli Lilly LLY.N has also started selling its rival drug in Europe and the United States.
The Danish manufacturer is working to convince European governments and insurers to reimburse the drug, as it seeks to position it as more than a lifestyle drug.
He says his factories operate 24 hours a day, but he is struggling to keep up with demand ().
Weekly injections start at 0.25 milligrams of the active ingredient semaglutide and gradually increase to the maintenance dose of 2.4 mg.
Here are the countries where Wegovy has launched, in order of launch date. Prices are for a four-week maintenance dose:
UNITED STATES
Wegovy launched in the United States in June 2021, but Novo had to wait until December 2022 for all doses to be available in that country.
The list price for a four-week course of treatment is approximately $1,350, regardless of dosage, not including coupons and rebates.
DENMARK
Wegovy was made available in all strengths in Denmark in early 2023. A four-week supply costs 2,370.60 Danish crowns ($335.57).
The public health system does not reimburse weight-loss drugs and Denmark’s largest private insurer, which covers about half the population, stopped reimbursing them last year due to high demand.
The government said in 2023, paying off Wegovy would cost the state up to $4 billion a year.
NORWAY
Wegovy launched in all doses in early 2023, priced at 2,775.30 Norwegian crowns ($251.65).
The Norwegian Medicines Agency said in January 2023 that it would not subsidize the drug because the price would be too high compared 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 around 90% of Germans covered by public health insurance plans, under a law which prohibits them from covering weight-loss drugs.
For the 10% of Germans with private health insurance, coverage varies. Insurer Allianz ALVG.DE said it would pay if the patient had a medical need, while rival Debeka excludes weight loss treatments from its plans.
BRITTANY
Wegovy was made available on site in Europe’s most obese country in September 2023, in what Novo called a “controlled and limited launch.”
Novo has not published the price of the drug, which is available free under the NHS weight management program and for a fee in the private market.
British chain Simple Online Pharmacy said it would sell Wegovy for 199-299 pounds ($378.8-$252.1), which includes a consultation with a GP, prescription and dispensing fee.
ICELAND
Novo launched Wegovy in Iceland in October 2023.
The Icelandic Medicines Agency said co-payment could be given to obese patients with weight-related comorbidity.
SUISSE
Novo launched Wegovy in Switzerland, where residents are required to have 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 – said they would not cover the treatment, while Groupe Mutuel said it would cover it for adults and adolescents who benefit from its premium insurance plan .
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Novo launched Wegovy in the UAE in November 2023, at a monthly cost of 6,848 UAE dirhams ($1,864.62).
The United Arab Emirates, which offers free public health care to its citizens, has not indicated whether it will cover it. Expatriates must pay for private insurance.
JAPAN
Novo launched Wegovy in its first Asian country on February 22, 2024, with most patients paying 30% of medical costs, in line with reimbursement for other medicines.
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 summer 2024.
AUSTRALIA
On August 1, Wegovy launched in Australia. It will not be subsidized under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, Novo said.
FRANCE
The Wegovy was launched in France in October 2024. The price is expected to be 270-330 euros per month and French national insurance will not cover it, Euronews reported. Contacted by Reuters, Novo confirmed that the information was correct.
CHINE
Novo said on November 18 that it had launched Wegovy in China. The price of the starting dose for one month will be 1,400 yuan ($193.23), financial media Yicai reported.
On June 25, Novo said the launch would initially target patients who pay out of pocket.
($1 = 7.0643 Danish crowns) ($1 = 11.0283 Norwegian crowns) ($1 = 0.9471 euros) ($1 = 0.7893 pounds sterling) ($1 = 0.8843 Swiss francs) ( $1 = 3.6726 UAE dirhams) ($1 = 155.6600 yen) ($1 = 7.2451 Chinese yuan renminbi)
