Telehealth companies Ro, Hims, and LifeMD will offer the weight-loss medication Wegovy at a reduced price, making it more accessible for individuals struggling with obesity or overweight issues. The surprise announcement – initially announced by Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Wegovy – during an April 4 appearance on “Good Morning America” sent shockwaves through the industry. This new program would fill the gap for people who do need the medication but don’t have insurance that pays for it.
Wegovy is already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is intended only for people with obesity or those who are overweight and have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The medication is called Ozempic and it contains semaglutide, a second drug in a class known as GLP-1 Receptor Agonists. Semaglutide does this by stimulating the pancreas to produce more insulin, which in turn lowers blood sugar levels. In addition, it delays gastric emptying and reduces hunger, causing weight loss.
Currently, consumers can get Wegovy from the telehealth channel for $499 per month. This price is a huge improvement from the over $1,000 it used to cost without insurance. Novo Nordisk funnels this net pricing through its wholly-owned pharmacy subsidiary—NovoCare Pharmacy. This will allow all patients with a prescription to get the medicine at the same low cost. Wegovy will be dispensed in the same auto-injector pens that insured patients currently get from their retail pharmacies.
This new Wegovy telehealth offering would serve patients who get a prescription for Wegovy but are unable to access coverage from their insurance. Experts are advising people to check with a health care provider about possible side effects and personalized risks before taking the medication.
Dr. Tara Narula stressed the importance of caution when using telehealth services to obtain medications such as Wegovy.
“There are definitely risks and concerns with using the telehealth platform,” – Dr. Tara Narula
Besides Wegovy, Ely Lilly has a competing weight-loss medication, Zepbound. And you can order Zepbound, either directly from its pharmacy or through certain telehealth companies. Prices are between $349 to $499/month for uninsured individuals.
The broader use of Wegovy, whether through the common telehealth companies or in-person providers, is a move toward greater access to weight-loss treatments. By reducing the cost and expanding availability, Novo Nordisk aims to assist individuals in managing their weight while mitigating associated health risks.
