Novo Nordisk weight-loss drug Wegovy launched in Germany, first big EU market By Reuters

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: The emblem of Danish multinational pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk is pictured on the facade of a manufacturing plant in Chartres, north-central France, April 21, 2016. REUTERS/Guillaume Souvant/File Photograph

By Ludwig Burger and Maggie Fick

FRANKFURT (Reuters) -Novo Nordisk has launched blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy in Germany, its first massive European market, hoping Germans can pay a whole bunch of euros out of pocket for a drug that public medical insurance plans are to this point barred from overlaying.

The drug, proven to assist sufferers cut back physique weight by round 15% when used together with train and way of life adjustments, is already out there in the US, however in Europe is to this point on sale solely in small markets Norway and Denmark.

“The primary sufferers have redeemed prescriptions in Germany,” a spokesperson for Novo confirmed on Saturday to Reuters, consistent with beforehand introduced plans to launch the drug there on the finish of July.

The Danish drugmaker’s share worth has greater than doubled within the two years for the reason that drug debuted, turning Novo into Europe’s second-most-valuable listed firm after LVMH.

Docs and sufferers in Germany have informed Reuters they anticipate excessive demand for the weekly injections, with many sufferers ready to tackle the fee, beginning at 170 euros ($190) a month and rising to greater than 300 euros as remedy requires the dosage to extend.

Public medical insurance plans, which cowl about 90% of Germans, is not going to foot the invoice, below a many years outdated legislation that bars them from overlaying weight-loss medication.

For the ten% of Germans with personal medical insurance, protection will range. Amongst main suppliers, Allianz (ETR:) says it should pay if a doctor diagnoses a medical want, whereas Debeka mentioned its plans exclude weight-loss therapies.

Affected person advocates and physicians have welcomed the arrival of Wegovy in Germany, the place 18.5% of adults are overweight, above the European Union common of 16%.

The Robert Koch Institute, Germany’s state public well being company, says ailments linked to extra physique weight pose a substantial burden on well being and social safety techniques.

Novo is ramping up manufacturing to satisfy hovering demand in the US, the place the drug sells for as a lot as $1,350 a month. It says it should carefully monitor prescriptions in Germany to make sure entry for folks with weight problems, however it can’t not rule out provide delays.

In Germany, Wegovy will probably be administered with the identical injection pen utilized in Norway and Denmark, completely different from the one utilized in the US, to keep away from hitting provides there.

Wegovy’s introduction in Germany will stir debate in a nation the place the well being care system has usually handled weight problems as a way of life alternative fairly than a continual illness.

Docs say many Germans in search of to shed extra pounds have already used Ozempic, a diabetes drug additionally made by Novo that could be a decrease dose model of the identical ingredient as Wegovy.

Physicians have apprehensive that provides can be strained by non-obese folks in search of “vainness” prescriptions – a priority mirrored in a Novo assertion in mid-July saying physicians ought to “prescribe responsibly”.

($1 = 0.8984 euros)