The results of a large clinical trial are putting more pressure on insurers to cover pricey weight-loss drugs. But this may threaten the very viability of private health insurance. —Reuters No doubt you’ve heard of Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) popular weight-loss drug Wegovy. The FDA first approved this medication in 2017 to treat diabetes as Ozempic, and later approved (under the brand name Wegovy) a higher-dose version to treat obesity in 2021. Demand for Wegovy has skyrocketed, with prescriptions for the drug soaring by +619% between December 2022 and May 2023.
Weight-Loss Drugs vs. Insurers
Weight-Loss Drugs vs. Insurers
Weight-Loss Drugs vs. Insurers
The results of a large clinical trial are putting more pressure on insurers to cover pricey weight-loss drugs. But this may threaten the very viability of private health insurance. —Reuters No doubt you’ve heard of Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) popular weight-loss drug Wegovy. The FDA first approved this medication in 2017 to treat diabetes as Ozempic, and later approved (under the brand name Wegovy) a higher-dose version to treat obesity in 2021. Demand for Wegovy has skyrocketed, with prescriptions for the drug soaring by +619% between December 2022 and May 2023.