May 22nd to formulate pharmacies to stop selling semaglutide
On May 22nd, pharmacies concocting should stop semaglutide injections, which serve as a more affordable and common alternative to Ozempic and Wegovy. The decision follows the judge’s denial of the pharmacy’s request to continue selling the formulation.
Fox-10 Phoenix
Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk has announced that it has temporarily lowered the prices of weight loss drugs for new customers as it seeks to limit sales of combined versions of the medication.
Novo Nordisk will sell Wegovy’s one-month supply for $199 by June 30 for patients who were taking the previously formulated version of the medication. The announcement is that manufacturers will stop dispensing cheaper, combined versions of drugs, consistent with the federal deadline of May 22.
Officials at Novo Nordisk said the one-off discount is aimed at people who have to pay for the drug because they don’t have insurance or their health insurance doesn’t cover them. Prices will return to cash prices of $499 from June 30th.
“We’re there and want to meet patients as they move from a composite (version) to a real Wegovy,” said Dave Moore, Vice President of U.S. Business at Novo Nordisk.
Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are being scrutinized across prices for a common class of diabetes and obesity drugs known as GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1.
Insurance companies often cover GLP-1 medications when prescribed for diabetes or heart disease, but many insurers are reluctant to cover the medication because of obesity. Some blue cross blue shield plans don’t cover drugs at all for weight loss.
In April, the Trump administration rejected Biden’s proposal to expand Medicare coverage of weight loss drugs.
Consumers who have turned to pharmacies that formulate to buy cheaper versions of those drugs no longer have the option.
The federal government had allowed pharmacies to sell copies of GLP-1 drugs. However, the Food and Drug Administration said the shortage of Zepbound for Wegovy and Eli Lilly has ended.
As of May 22nd, manufacturers are no longer allowed to distribute the combined version of Semaglutide, which Novo Nordisk sells under Wegovy at Weight Loss and Diabetes Ozempic.
The Industry Trade Group’s Outsourcing Facility Association sued the FDA in US District Court in Texas, submitting a motion to delay enforcement. However, the federal judge denied the group’s motion.
Industry Group Chairman Lee Rosebush said access to drug therapy was “a big step forward.”
He said that the FDA relies on data provided by pharmaceutical companies to declare there is no shortage of GLP-1 drug therapy, so that it will end the legitimate path for conpartment to sell cheaper copies.
“FDA registered outsourcing facilities are no longer able to create GLP-1 combined drugs, and are unable to remove more affordable options for consumers, particularly as major insurance companies are now refusing to cover GLP-1,” Rosebush said. “We urge patients affected by the FDA lawsuit to contact Congress and FDA members directly and share how the removal of designation of shortages affects health and well-being.”
In April, Novo Nordisk announced that it would partner with Telehealth Firms Hims & Hers, Lifemd and Ro to offer Wegovy.
Telehealth Company Ro said it would cut the first month of membership fees to $45. The fees cover access to licensed prescribers, customized coaching, side effects monitoring and other services, the company said.
Novo Nordisk said new customers can get a one-time price of $199 through the company’s Novocare Pharmacy. Customers prescribed medication by their doctor can visit Wegovy.com to print offers or send them to their mobile phones. A one-off price of $199 is offered through a telehealth company.
In February, Eli Lilly cut the monthly price of a low-dose vial of obesity drug Zepbound by $50 for consumers paying cash through drugmaker LillyDirect website. Lily prices vary based on dosage. Customers who purchase a one-month supply of 2.5 mg vials pay $349, while 5 mg vials cost $499.
