Sanders Urges Novo Nordisk to Cut Ozempic, Wegovy Prices at Tuesday's Hearing

Sep 24, 2024, 03:30 PM

Senator Bernie Sanders has called for a reduction in the list prices of Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy, during Tuesday's Senate Health Committee hearing. Sanders, the Senate Health Cmte Chair, emphasized that the high costs of these medications are a result of a dysfunctional healthcare system. Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), including Cigna, CVSHealth, and UHC, have committed to expanding coverage for these drugs if Novo Nordisk lowers their prices. Novo Nordisk CEO Jorgenson stated that the list price is merely a starting point for negotiations with PBMs and insurance companies. Despite Sanders' pressure, Jorgenson did not explicitly commit to significantly lowering the prices. GOP Senator Bill Cassidy argued that the issue of high drug prices is complex and cannot be solely blamed on big pharmaceutical companies.