Pharma big Novo Nordisk introduced that it’s collaborating with WeightWatchers to supply Wegovy by NovoCare Pharmacy, efficient July 1.
By the partnership, WeightWatchers’ telehealth program, built-in into NovoCare Pharmacy, will allow new uninsured or self-paying sufferers to entry Wegovy for $299 per thirty days for one month at any dose and subsequently $499 per thirty days after. The supply is legitimate from July 1 by July 31.
Novo Nordisk says the affords will assist sufferers “beforehand prescribed unapproved ‘semaglutide’ begin on FDA-approved Wegovy.”
WeightWatchers will dispense Wegovy by CenterWell Pharmacy, which handles prescription success and supply for NovoCare Pharmacy.
Novo Nordisk mentioned the supply will probably be efficient by every of its telehealth companions: Ro, LifeMD and now WeightWatchers. The identical deal will even be obtainable to sufferers immediately by NovoCare Pharmacy.
“We perceive that how folks select to obtain care is altering, and in response to that, we’re collaborating with WeightWatchers to ship extra accessible care to these dwelling with continual weight problems,” Dave Moore, government vice chairman of U.S. operations of Novo Nordisk, mentioned in a press release.
“WeightWatchers has spent over six many years constructing a science-backed strategy to weight administration, and we see robust synergy in our shared dedication to enhancing long-term well being outcomes. Now we have additionally been very inspired with our present Ro and LifeMD collaborations. We are going to proceed to pursue and construct on agreements with firms that share our values and refine initiatives that assist enhance entry to our FDA-approved medicines for sufferers.”
THE LARGER TREND
Earlier this week, Novo Nordisk introduced it was terminating its contract with Hims & Hers, which was introduced lower than two months in the past, alleging the direct-to-consumer digital care firm is violating federal legislation by promoting compounded variations of the drug at scale below the pretense of “personalization.”
Novo Nordisk additionally accused Hims & Hers of utilizing deceptive advertising practices, which it claims put affected person security in danger.
Hims & Hers responded to the allegations, writing on LinkedIn, “It is a transfer by a pharmaceutical big to guard its personal pursuits by difficult lawful, personalised compounded care. Much more troubling is the hassle to conflate lawful compounders with dangerous actors. That is deceptive and dangerous, particularly for sufferers with complicated wants.”
The corporate’s CEO, Andrew Dedum, wrote on X, “In current weeks, Novo Nordisk’s business crew more and more pressured us to manage medical requirements and steer sufferers to Wegovy no matter whether or not it was clinically finest for sufferers. We refuse to be strong-armed by any pharmaceutical firm’s anticompetitive calls for that infringe on the impartial decision-making of suppliers and restrict affected person selection.”
Novo Nordisk additionally companions with direct-to-consumer digital care firm Ro and publicly traded telemedicine firm LifeMD to promote its weight-loss drug by the telehealth suppliers to cash-paying purchasers.
In a press release saying the WeightWatchers partnership, the pharma big mentioned, “Ro and LifeMD collaborations proceed primarily based on their dedication to offering protected and efficient medical therapy for sufferers dwelling with continual illnesses; dialogue with different firms ongoing.”
