Price Guide and Availability: Wegovy, a brand name for the medication semaglutide, is an injectable prescription medicine that may help adults and children aged 12 years and older with obesity or excess weight to lose weight and keep it off. It is used alongside a reduced-calorie meal plan and increased physical activity. Wegovy contains semaglutide and should not be used with other semaglutide-containing products or other GLP-1 receptor agonist medicines.
Alternatives to Wegovy
While Wegovy has shown promising results in weight management, there are several alternatives available for those who may not be able to use it. These alternatives include:
- Saxenda: An FDA-approved injectable GLP-1 drug for long-term weight management.
- Trulicity: Another alternative that has shown promising results in helping individuals lose weight and improve their health outcomes.
- Ozempic: Approved for treatment of type 2 diabetes, but some doctors prescribe it off-label for obesity.
- Mounjaro: A diabetes drug prescribed off-label for weight loss.
- Victoza: Another alternative that has shown promising results in helping individuals lose weight and improve their health outcomes.
Price of Wegovy in Different Countries
The cost of Wegovy varies significantly across different countries. In the United States, a one-month supply of Wegovy retails for around $1,350. However, the price is much lower in other countries. For instance, in the United Kingdom, the list price of semaglutide (Wegovy) 2.4 mg is £175.80 per pack. In France, the price for a similar medication, Ozempic, is as low as $83. In Germany: The price is between €170 and €300 per month. In Norway, Wegovy was launched in all dose strengths in early 2023 at a cost of 2,775.30 Norwegian crowns ($265). The Norwegian Medicines Agency said in January 2023 it would not subsidise the drug, saying the price would be too high in relation to the documented health effects. In Denmark, Wegovy was made available in all dose strengths in Denmark in early 2023. A four-week supply costs 2,370.60 Danish crowns ($343).
Wegovy Shortage Resolution
The demand for Wegovy has exceeded the supply, leading to shortages. However, Novo Nordisk, the supplier of Wegovy, has announced that they have increased the supply of the lowest dose of Wegovy, allowing more people in the U.S. to start taking the drug. They are enabling more new U.S. patients to initiate treatment by more than doubling the amount of the lower dose strengths of Wegovy into the U.S. market beginning in January of 2024, while gradually increasing overall supply throughout the rest of the year.
Key Point
Wegovy has proven to be a promising solution for weight management. However, due to its high cost and supply shortages, it may not be accessible to everyone. Fortunately, there are several alternatives available that may also aid in weight loss.
