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The weight management medicine marketplace is poised for significant expansion with the news that Wegovy will soon be accessible through telemedicine services at reduced prices.
Danish pharmaceutical powerhouse Novo Nordisk has disclosed its collaboration with online healthcare providers Hims & Hers, Ro, and LifeMD to distribute Wegovy. This initiative aims to curb the sale of counterfeit versions of the sought-after weight loss medication and broaden access for self-pay patients.
Telemedicine Platforms to Offer Wegovy
Hims & Hers will commence offering all doses of Wegovy this week, with prices starting at $599 per month for eligible self-pay patients with a valid prescription.
Ro and LifeMD will provide access to all doses of the drug—a more potent formulation of Ozempic—for $499 per month.
Eligibility for Affordable Wegovy
- Patients without insurance coverage
- Individuals with commercial insurance that does not cover obesity medications
Currently, Wegovy has a suggested retail price of approximately $1,350 for a 28-day supply. This translates to a potential annual cost exceeding $16,000 without insurance or manufacturer discounts.
Accessing Wegovy through Telemedicine
GLP-1 medications require a prescription. However, obtaining one via telemedicine platforms is straightforward: schedule an online appointment, consult with a physician via video chat, and secure a prescription.
The weight management medicine marketplace is poised for significant expansion with the news that Wegovy will soon be accessible through telemedicine services at more competitive rates
Competitor Moves and Market Impact
Rival pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has taken similar steps to enhance accessibility for its obesity medication, Zepbound, through partnerships with telemedicine providers like Ro.
Following the announcement of Wegovy’s launch on telemedicine platforms, Hims & Hers shares surged over 25 percent in afternoon trading, while LifeMD shares rose more than 36 percent.
Legal Developments and Supply Chain
Last week, a U.S. judge dismissed a request from compounding pharmacies to continue selling replicas of Wegovy while litigating drug shortage issues.
Compounding pharmacies had been permitted to produce large quantities of alternative versions of oncology and diabetes drugs due to claimed shortages. Larger compounding facilities must halt production by May 22, and smaller pharmacies must cease immediately.
Hims & Hers and Ro initiated sales of compounded semaglutide, the active component in Wegovy and Ozempic, last year. Andrew Dudum, CEO of Hims, confirmed that the company will persist in offering customized compounded semaglutide products.
Novo Nordisk’s Accessibility Initiatives
To increase Wegovy’s accessibility for self-pay patients earlier this year, Novo Nordisk established the NovoCare pharmacy program. This program offers the medication at a discounted rate of $499 via their pharmacy network.
In March, Novo Nordisk broadened this offer to all eligible self-pay customers at local pharmacies.
Patients can now obtain NovoCare directly through the aforementioned telemedicine platforms. “This should also serve as a clear indication that Wegovy supplies are sufficient…”
…and all doses are readily available,” stated Dave Moore, executive vice president of U.S. operations for the Danish pharmaceutical company.