桑德斯援引数据称，诺和诺德今年已通过Wegovy和Ozempic获得了近500亿美元的收入，其中大部分来自美国，这主要是因为诺和诺德向美国人收取的药物价格远远高于其他国家。在美国，若没有保险，Wegovy和Ozempic每月的供应价格分别为1349美元和935.77美元，远高于一些欧洲国家的92美元和59美元的价格。① Novo Nordisk's CEO was questioned by the United States Senate, with senators believing that the pricing of Novo Nordisk's products in the US is too high. ② At the hearing, Novo Nordisk's CEO still refused to commit to lowering the prices of Wegovy and Ozempic. ③ After the hearing, Novo Nordisk issued a statement stating that even if the company reduced prices, American patients would not benefit from corresponding price reductions.
On September 25, Caixin reported that on Tuesday (September 24, Eastern Time), Lars Fru00f8sig Joergensen, CEO of the Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk, was questioned by the US Senate. Senators believe that Novo Nordisk's weight loss drug Wegovy and diabetes drug Ozempic are priced too high in the USA, significantly higher than their prices in Europe.
The hearing took place at the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, chaired by Independent Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont.
Sanders cited data stating that Novo Nordisk has already generated nearly $50 billion in revenue this year from Wegovy and Ozempic, with the majority coming from the US, mainly because Novo Nordisk charges much higher drug prices to Americans compared to other countries. In the US, without insurance, Wegovy and Ozempic cost $1,349 and $935.77 per month, respectively, much higher than prices in some European countries which are $92 and $59.
During the hearing, Sanders said, "Mr. Jørgensen, what we are saying is, treat the American people as you do people around the world. Stop exploiting us."
Jørgensen argued that since first entering the market in 2017, Ozempic's net price has dropped by about 40%, and Wegovy has experienced a similar decline since 2021. Net price refers to the profit the pharmaceutical company earns from the drug after deducting rebates and discounts.
Jørgensen also blamed the US healthcare system for creating significant price disparities, stating that Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) are owned by insurance companies and take a certain percentage from the drug list price, often excluding low-priced drugs from their products.
Jørgensen said, "Based on our experience, products with lower list prices are less likely to be included in insurance."
However, it is obvious that the prepared Sanders has stated that he has obtained a written commitment from the PBM, if novo-nordisk reduces the pricing of Wegovy and Ozempic, they will not exclude these two drugs.
Jørgensen responded that the written commitment obtained by Sanders from the PBM was news to him.
Nevertheless, Jørgensen still refuses to commit to lowering the pricing of Wegovy and Ozempic in the USA, stating that he is willing to negotiate but remains doubtful.
After the hearing, novo-nordisk issued a statement stating their willingness to continue working with the Committees on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Nordisk stated: "Unfortunately, the reality is that even if we lower prices, as we have done for Ozempic and Wegovy, American patients still have to pay prices not matching the extent of the discount."
Editor/Lambor
