Wegovy and Ozempic: New Obesity Drugs Raise Questions About Cost and Safety

The high cost of obesity drugs is very concerning, specifically Ozempic and Wegovy. These drugs are both injectable semaglutide, a type of medication that helps people lose weight by suppressing appetite. Ozempic is approved for both diabetes and weight loss, while Wegovy is only approved for weight loss.

The article notes that the cost of these drugs can be prohibitive for many people. Without insurance, Ozempic can cost around $892 per month and Wegovy can cost around $1,300 per month. Even with insurance, many people still have to pay a significant amount out of pocket.

The article also discusses some of the reasons why these drugs are so expensive. One reason is that they are relatively new, and drug companies often charge high prices for new medications. Another reason is that these drugs are very effective at helping people lose weight. In clinical trials, people who took Ozempic or Wegovy lost an average of 15% of their body weight. This is a significant amount of weight loss, and it can have a major impact on people’s health.

The high cost of these drugs has led to some criticism. Some people argue that the high prices are unfair, especially considering that obesity is a chronic disease that affects millions of people. Others argue that the high prices are necessary to recoup the costs of research and development.

The article concludes by noting that the high cost of obesity drugs is a barrier to access for many people. It calls on drug companies to lower the prices of these drugs so that more people can afford them.

Here are some additional details from the article:

• The average cost of Ozempic without insurance is $892 per month.
• The average cost of Wegovy without insurance is $1,300 per month.
• Even with insurance, many people still have to pay a significant amount out of pocket for these drugs.
• These drugs are very effective at helping people lose weight. In clinical trials, people who took Ozempic or Wegovy lost an average of 15% of their body weight.
• The high cost of these drugs has led to some criticism.
• The article concludes by calling on drug companies to lower the prices of these drugs so that more people can afford them.