Sanders launches investigation into ‘unacceptable’ diabetes and weight-loss drug prices

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, on Wednesday launched an investigation into the “outrageously high prices” of respective diabetes and weight loss medications. weight of Novo Nordisk, Ozempic and Wegovy.

On Wednesday, Sanders written a letter to Novo Nordisk CEO Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen notifying him of the investigation and outlining his concerns about various price discrepancies between medicines and pointing out concerns about medicine prices.

“Novo Nordisk scientists deserve great credit for developing these medicines that have the potential to change the game for millions of Americans struggling with type 2 diabetes and obesity,” said Sanders.

“As important as these medicines are,” Sanders continued, “they won’t do any good for the millions of patients who can’t afford them.”

Ozempic and Wegovy have the same active ingredient – ​​semaglutide – but have different doses and dosages. Ozempic is FDA approved for type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is approved for weight loss.

In his letter, Sanders questioned why the two medicines would be priced differently from each other and priced differently from those in other countries.

Ozempic costs $969 per month for type 2 diabetes in the United States, but costs $155 in Canada and $59 in Germany, Sanders said. Wegovy costs $1,349 per month for weight loss in the US, compared to $140 in Germany and $92 in the UK.

Sanders cited a recent report from Yale University that he said found drugs could be manufactured profitably for less than $5 a month.

“The result of these astronomically high prices is that Ozempic and Wegovy are out of reach for millions of Americans who need them,” Sanders said. “Unfortunately, Novo Nordisk’s prices have turned medicines that could improve people’s lives into luxury goods, while Novo Nordisk made more than $12 billion in profits last year – a 76% increase over to 2021. This is unacceptable.”

Sanders warned that high prices could bankrupt important programs like Medicare and Medicaid “if the prices of these products are not substantially reduced,” adding, “The United States Congress and the federal government cannot allow this to happen.” .

In a statement, a Novo Nordisk spokesperson said the company is “proud of the work our scientists have done to drive innovation and improve the lives of people with chronic illnesses” and said it was “humbling” to see the drugs helping people. people.

“We agree with the President that access to these important treatments is essential for patients in Medicare, Medicaid and the commercial markets.

“It is easy to oversimplify the science involved in understanding disease and developing and producing new treatments, as well as the complexities of U.S. and global health care systems. However, the public debate does not always take this extremely complex reality into account. Novo Nordisk remains committed to working with policymakers to develop solutions that support access and affordability for all patients, and we reiterated this commitment in our conversation with President Sanders,” the statement read.

Sanders asked the CEO if he would “substantially reduce the list price and net price of Ozempic and Wegovy.” Sanders also requested information by May 8 about internal decision-making, how much profit the company makes and how those prices are determined.