The study calculates that Ozempic’s manufacturing cost ranges between 89 cents and $4.73|Chemist4U|CC BY-SA 2.0
A recent study indicates that the popular diabetes and weight loss drug Ozempic could be produced for less than $5 a month, a stark contrast to manufacturer Novo Nordisk’s price that currently stands at roughly $1,000 per month in the US.
The study, by researchers from Yale University, King’s College Hospital, and Doctors Without Borders, calculates that Ozempic’s manufacturing cost ranges between 89 cents and $4.73.
Separate research indicates similar affordability challenges with the manufacturer’s weight-loss drug Wegovy.
Why is it important?
The findings shed light on the significant disparity between medication production expenses and market prices.
It raises concerns regarding the accessibility of a new class of treatments called GLP-1s, which include essential diabetes and weight-loss medications, particularly as demand surges and insurers increasingly opt out of coverage due to exorbitant costs.
A recent survey further underscores the financial strain faced by patients, revealing that many shell out $50 or less out of pocket monthly for GLP-1 medications.