Novo Nordisk Expands Discounted Access to Wegovy

Novo Nordisk is taking further steps to ensure patient access to its popular GLP-1 medication Wegovy.1Earlier this month, the company announced a new service aimed at providers patients access to the medication if they didn’t have insurance or their insurance plan didn’t cover weight-loss medications.NovoCare Pharmacy is a direct-to-patient service that offers various dosages of Wegovy. Patients can purchase a month’s supply for a $499 cash payment. Originally, this reduced price was only available through Novo Nordisk’s DTC pharmacy.Now, the company is expanding that discount to make it available for cash-paying patients at their local pharmacies as well. Novo Nordisk calls the program Beyond NovoCare Pharmacy. According to the company, this is part of an initiative at the company to ensure that patients are able to access the genuine medication and don’t have to resort to purchasing potentially dangerous knockoffs.In a press release announcing the expansion, Novo Nordisk executive vice or US operations and global business development Dave Moore said, “At Novo Nordisk, we are committed to developing innovative medicines and will continue to prioritize making them accessible to and affordable for the communities we serve. With the evolution of our Wegovy® savings program, we continue to deliver options that empower people living with obesity to more easily pursue their weight management and health goals."Novo Nordisk first announced the NovoCare Pharmacy in March, 2025.2 This is part of a larger trend in the industry where pharma companies are expanding their DTC offerings in attempts to reduce costs for patients. By offering medications through these channels, pharma companies are able to reduce costs by avoiding certain hurdles like PBMS. It also provides them the opportunity to offer discounts directly to patients who may not have the medications covered by their insurance policies.In a press release issued at the time, Moore said, “Novo Nordisk continues to advance solutions for patients that improve affordability and access to our medicines, whether they have insurance or not. Today, over 55 million people in the U.S. have coverage specifically for weight management medicines, and 90% of Wegovy® patients with coverage pay $0 to $25 a month for Wegovy®. With NovoCare® Pharmacy, patients and prescribers alike have another option that provides convenient access to all doses of real, FDA-approved Wegovy® at a reduced cost in our high-quality pen."Wegovy is a highly popular medication due to its weight-loss benefits. In previous years, Novo Nordisk struggled to meet the demand for the drug in the United States and had to temporarily limit new prescriptions for a time. While that limitation was lifted last year, the supply of the drug in the US was still considered to be low. However, FDA recently declared that the shortage was officially over.3In a press release from February, 2025, Moore said, “We are pleased the FDA has declared that supply of the only real, FDA-approved semaglutide medicines is resolved, affirming that Novo Nordisk is meeting or exceeding current and projected nationwide demand. No one should have to compromise their health due to misinformation and reach for fake or illegitimate knockoff drugs that pose significant safety risks to patients. Patient safety remains our top priority and, in line with our purpose to improve lives and health, we continue to partner, educate, and advocate for expanded, affordable access to our medicines for those who need and rely on them."SOURCESNovo Nordisk Expands Wegovy® $499-Per-Month Offering to Additional Cash-Paying Patients via the Wegovy® Savings Offer. Novo Nordisk Inc. March 24, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/novo-nordisk-expands-wegovy-499-per-month-offering-to-additional-cash-paying-patients-via-the-wegovy-savings-offer-302408528.htmlNovo Nordisk Introduces NovoCare® Pharmacy, Lowering Cost of All Doses of FDA-Approved Wegovy® (semaglutide) to $499 Per Month and Offering Easy Home Delivery for Cash-Paying Patients. Novo Nordisk Inc. March 5, 2025. Accessed March 24, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/novo-nordisk-introduces-novocare-pharmacy-lowering-cost-of-all-doses-of-fda-approved-wegovy-semaglutide-to-499-per-month-and-offering-easy-home-delivery-for-cash-paying-patients-302392874.htmlFDA Declares Wegovy® and Ozempic® Shortage is Over and That Novo Nordisk is Fully Meeting or Exceeding Nationwide Demand for All Doses. Novo Nordisk Inc. February 21, 2025. Accessed March 24, 2025. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fda-declares-wegovy-and-ozempic-shortage-is-over-and-that-novo-nordisk-is-fully-meeting-or-exceeding-nationwide-demand-for-all-doses-302382370.html