Novo Nordisk, a prominent pharmaceutical company, is currently seeking additional time to address inquiries from U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders concerning the pricing of its diabetes and weight loss medications, Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs have come under scrutiny due to their high costs in the United States, with Ozempic being priced at $968.52 for a month’s supply of weekly injections.
Senator Sanders, who chairs the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, has expressed concerns about the implications of these high prices on Medicare’s budget, particularly questioning the affordability of broad coverage for weight loss drugs. On April 24, Sanders highlighted the issue in a letter, criticizing the “outrageously high prices” charged by Novo Nordisk and labeled the pricing as “totally absurd.”
This scrutiny aligns with a broader investigation by Sanders’ committee into drug pricing in the U.S. The urgency of this matter was underscored by a study published in JAMA Network Open, which suggested that Ozempic could be produced for less than $5 a month, a stark contrast to its current market price.
Despite the pressure from Senator Sanders to respond by May 8, Novo Nordisk has communicated its need for more time to prepare a comprehensive response. This request for an extension was confirmed by a company spokesperson who also mentioned ongoing communications with Sanders’ office, including a recent phone call between the senator’s staff and Novo’s CEO, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen.
The dialogue between Novo Nordisk and Senator Sanders’ office continues, highlighting the complexities and tensions surrounding pharmaceutical pricing and its regulation in the U.S. The outcome of this discussion could have significant implications for the pricing strategies of pharmaceutical companies and the affordability of medication for U.S. consumers, especially those dependent on Medicare.