The CEO of Novo Nordisk, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, defended the high cost of the company’s drugs Ozempic and Wegovy in the U.S., stating that they ultimately save taxpayers money on obesity-related costs, which amount to over $400 billion annually. Jørgensen rejected accusations of operating as a drug cartel and emphasized the value of their products in reducing the burden of obesity-related care. The Senate committee hearing in September, where Jørgensen is scheduled to testify, will address the pricing of Novo Nordisk’s drugs, with Senator Bernie Sanders criticizing the company for charging significantly more in the U.S. than in other countries.
While the cost of obesity-related care in the U.S. is substantial, health policy experts like Stacie Dusetzina from Vanderbilt University question whether the current prices of Ozempic and Wegovy justify the overall spending increase on the drugs. Jørgensen plans to address the complexities of the U.S. health care system at the hearing, pointing to insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers as factors contributing to high out-of-pocket costs for patients. The role of PBMs in negotiating drug prices and the need for a discussion on the value of these medications for patients are highlighted in the ongoing debate. Overall, the cost-effectiveness and long-term benefits of using these weight loss drugs remain uncertain, as more data is needed to fully assess their impact on health care spending and outcomes.
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