Senator Bernie Sanders has expressed approval of the Biden administration's decision to allow Medicare to negotiate prices for diabetes and weight-loss drugs, including Ozempic and Wegovy. This move comes after Novo Nordisk recently increased the price of Ozempic significantly in the United States.
Sanders criticized the high cost of these medications, noting that "Novo Nordisk outrageously and unacceptably raised the price of Ozempic to nearly $1,000 a month," which is substantially higher than prices in Europe. He emphasized that Americans face some of the highest prescription drug prices globally.
The senator highlighted past efforts by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) to investigate these high costs. He posed questions about why Novo Nordisk charges American consumers more than those in other countries.
Sanders also referenced former President Trump's statements about pharmaceutical companies, questioning whether Trump would support measures ensuring Americans pay similar prices as those in other nations.
A hearing led by Sanders in September examined Novo Nordisk's pricing strategies for its life-saving drugs. Epidemiologists suggest that making Wegovy affordable could save over 40,000 lives annually in the U.S.
In May, a report from HELP Committee Majority Staff analyzed potential impacts on prescription drug spending if weight-loss drugs became widely used. The findings suggested significant financial implications unless prices decrease.
The report noted that if Novo Nordisk matched Danish pricing for Wegovy in the U.S., it could result in substantial savings for the healthcare system and taxpayers. These savings could cover new weight loss treatments for all adults with obesity at a lower cost than current expenditures.
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