Expanding weight loss drug access for older Americans under Medicare.

Novo Nordisk Pushes for Medicare Coverage of Ozempic

Novo Nordisk, the maker of the weight loss drug Ozempic, is actively lobbying regulators to include the drug under Medicare coverage. The pharmaceutical company has hired Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, a law and lobbying firm, to pressure policymakers and members of Congress to cover weight-loss treatments under Medicare.

Expanding Medicare Coverage for Ozempic

Ozempic is currently covered under Medicare Part D to treat type 2 diabetes. However, without coverage, the drug can cost patients around $16,000. Medicare Part D consists of private insurance plans, and the cost of prescription drugs under Part D varies depending on the user’s insurance.

Lobbyists argue that by limiting coverage to Medicare Part D, senior citizens are being excluded. As senior Americans generally qualify for Medicare Part A and Part B at 65 years old, expanding coverage to include weight-loss treatments would benefit a significant portion of the population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 40% of Americans over the age of 60 are overweight.

Clearing the Path for Weight Loss Treatments

While Ozempic is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat type 2 diabetes in adults, it has not yet been cleared for weight loss. However, Novo Nordisk’s product Wegovy is the only new drug with FDA approval specifically for treating obesity.

Eli Lilly, another major American pharmaceutical company, has also joined the effort to expand Medicare coverage for weight loss treatments. They have hired lobbying firms to advocate for the coverage of their type 2 diabetes medication, Mounjaro, under Medicare.

The Potential of Ozempic

Ozempic, administered through a once-a-week injection, has shown promising results in helping people lose about 12% of their body mass on average, according to a study conducted by medical researchers published by the National Library of Medicine. While the drug has proven to be safe and effective in clinical trials, it is currently not legally prescribed for weight loss.

Last year, Novo Nordisk spent $4.6 million on lobbying efforts for the federal government, and they have already invested $1.3 million in the first three months of 2023, according to records.

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