CEO of Novo Nordisk, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, is defending the high cost of their drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy, in America by stating that they ultimately save taxpayers money on obesity-related costs. He argues that the cost of obesity in the U.S. exceeds $400 billion annually and their products help alleviate this burden. Jørgensen is set to testify at a Senate committee hearing about the pricing of their popular drugs, which cost significantly more in the U.S. compared to other countries.
Senator Bernie Sanders has criticized Novo Nordisk for charging much higher prices in the U.S. compared to elsewhere, accusing them of ripping off the American people. Despite the high cost of obesity-related care, some experts believe that the current prices of Ozempic and Wegovy may not lead to overall savings in healthcare spending.
Jørgensen blames insurance companies and pharmacy benefit managers for high out-of-pocket costs, citing the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system. He also acknowledges that some patients may struggle to afford the medications and mentions patient support programs to assist them. However, critics argue that the long-term benefits and costs of these weight loss drugs are not yet fully understood.
Overall, the debate over the pricing of Novo Nordisk’s drugs highlights the challenges and complexities of the U.S. healthcare system and the need for a discussion on the value of these medications for patients.
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