[ad_1]
Novo Nordisk has launched its hugely popular and pricey weight-loss drug Wegovy in Germany, which is not covered under the country’s health insurance plans.
The drug, which helps patients get rid of body weight by around 15% when used with exercise and lifestyle changes is already in the United States and in small European markets like Norway and Denmark.
German patients have received their first prescriptions, confirmed a Novo spokesperson on Saturday.
High demand for the drug has been expected in Germany, said doctors and patients, with many of them ready to pay the cost starting at 170 euros ($190) a month which could also rise to more than 300 euros, according to Reuters.
However, the law bars public health insurance, which covers about 90% of Germans, from covering weight-loss drugs. But coverage will vary for those who have private health insurance.
The arrival of Wegovy has been welcomed by patient advocates and physicians as Germany has about 18.5% of adults who are obese.
Novo sells the drug for as much as $1,350 a month in the US and will monitor the prescriptions in Germany to make the drug accessible to patients.
Germany’s healthcare system does not treat obesity as a chronic disease but rather as a lifestyle.
[ad_2]
