New York, NY – Novo Nordisk’s weight loss drug Wegovy has become increasingly popular, with the company’s recent announcement of offering the medication at a discounted price through a direct-to-consumer online pharmacy. This move comes as a way to make the drug more accessible to patients, particularly those without insurance coverage, such as Medicare recipients.
The new online pharmacy, NovoCare, is now providing Wegovy at a reduced cost of $499 per month for cash-pay patients, significantly lower than the drug’s list price of $1,350. By offering Wegovy through this new platform, Novo Nordisk aims to combat the rise of cheaper compounded alternatives that flooded the market during a recent shortage of the drug.
NovoCare also offers added benefits to patients, including refill reminders and access to live support from a case manager. This approach mirrors a similar strategy employed by Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk’s main competitor in the market for GLP-1s, which are medications that help regulate blood sugar and suppress appetite.
With the launch of its own direct-to-consumer online pharmacy, LillyDirect, Eli Lilly provides patients with access to its weight loss drug Zepbound. The online platform allows patients to receive prescriptions through telehealth providers and offers home delivery services. Additionally, LillyDirect now offers Zepbound in single-dose vials at a reduced cost compared to its original list price of $1,000 per month.
The recent resolution of shortages of both Zepbound and Wegovy by the Food and Drug Administration has helped prevent the creation of unapproved versions of these medications by compounding pharmacies. This development signifies a step forward in ensuring that patients have access to FDA-approved treatments for weight loss.
Overall, the competition between Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly in the weight loss drug market continues to drive innovations in pricing and accessibility for patients. The availability of Wegovy through NovoCare represents a significant milestone in making this medication more affordable and convenient for individuals seeking to manage their weight effectively.