Wegovy obesity drug launches in Ireland, costs out-of-pocket

Novo Nordisk’s weight loss drug, Wegovy, is set to launch in Ireland. However, people will need to pay for the treatment themselves for now. Wegovy is derived from the same active ingredient as Ozempic, a diabetes medication. Ozempic saw a surge in popularity for its side effect of weight loss. In January 2022, Wegovy was approved in Europe specifically as a weight loss therapy. Novo Nordisk faced challenges in manufacturing and securing reimbursement for Wegovy. Although the company had plans to build a large facility in Ireland, they later withdrew from those plans. They did, however, acquire a site in Athlone for production, primarily for older medications. Currently, only one medication, Saxenda, is approved for weight management in Ireland, but it has strict eligibility criteria. Wegovy can be prescribed to more patients who have a BMI of 30 or higher. People in Ireland wanting Wegovy will likely need to pay out of pocket, similar to experiences in Denmark. The monthly cost for similar weight loss drugs is around €290 to €350. Wegovy is expected to be priced similarly. Users may need to gradually increase their dosage over several months. Competition in the weight loss drug market is intense. Novo Nordisk is also exploring new treatments related to obesity and other health conditions. Despite setbacks in stock prices last year, the company remains committed to expanding its reach in the obesity medication market.