Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company, has launched its weight-loss injection, Wegovy, in the United Kingdom. This marks the second European debut for the drug in just over a month, as Novo Nordisk aims to expand its presence in the region. Despite challenges in meeting demand, driven by both Wegovy and Novo’s highly effective diabetes drug, Ozempic, the company’s shares and earnings have reached record highs. On Friday, Novo Nordisk surpassed LVMH as Europe’s most valuable listed company.
Novo Nordisk announced that Wegovy’s availability in the United Kingdom would begin with a controlled and limited launch. The drug has shown the ability to help patients reduce body weight by approximately 15% when used in conjunction with exercise and lifestyle changes. It is already available in the United States, Norway, Denmark, and, as of late July, Germany.
However, the company’s struggle to meet the high demand for Wegovy in the United States has led to delays in its European launch. Novo Nordisk has been working to increase production capacity, but its CEO stated that it would “take quite some years” to fully satisfy the market.
Novo Nordisk is closely monitoring Wegovy’s demand and collaborating with regulators and providers to ensure access for individuals living with obesity. The company has not disclosed pricing details for the UK.
According to Simple Online Pharmacy, a UK-based online pharmacy chain, patients can expect to pay between £199 and £299 ($251-$377) for a monthly supply of Wegovy, which includes a consultation with a general practitioner and prescription and dispensing costs. In the United States, the drug can cost as much as $1,350 per month.
The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended Wegovy’s use in adults with at least one weight-related condition and a body mass index (BMI) of 35, but only within the National Health Service’s (NHS) specialist weight management scheme. NICE’s recommendation also stipulates that Wegovy should be used for a maximum of two years.
Novo Nordisk stated that the drug would be available through both the NHS’ weight management scheme and privately through registered healthcare professionals. However, the company did not specify the quantity of supply allocated to the UK.
While global supply constraints persist, approximately 50,000 eligible patients in England could receive Wegovy prescriptions through NHS specialist weight management services, according to an NHS spokesperson.
The United Kingdom has one of the highest rates of adult obesity in Europe, with nearly one in three adults classified as obese, according to a 2019 report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Obesity-related health issues account for 8.4% of healthcare spending and result in a 3.4% reduction in UK GDP when combined with decreased labor market output.
The British government previously announced plans to pilot programs exploring the administration of drugs like Wegovy to obese patients by general practitioners. This initiative aligns with efforts to combat obesity in the UK.
Last week, reports indicated that Wegovy supplies were limited in Germany, underscoring the challenges Novo Nordisk faces in expanding its presence in the European market.
