A new drug against obesity, Wegovy, is now reimbursed by health insurance. This decision will help alleviate the shortage of Ozempic, but could cost the health system millions of francs.
Almost two years after its authorization by Swissmedic, the drug Wegovy from the Novo Nordisk brand is covered by basic insurance. “The Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) has studied the effectiveness, usefulness and economic viability of the medicine, which has been on the list of specialties since March 1,” explains Jörg Indermitte, head of admission medicines at the OFSP.
Wegovy, brother of Ozempic, used by diabetics but also against obesity, will be prescribed under very strict conditions and will be reimbursed to patients to whom it has been prescribed against obesity.
“Significant financial consequences”
But the coverage of a new drug by the LAMal will have a cost for health insurance: 100 million, according to the OFSP, three times more according to Santésuisse.
“There will be significant financial consequences, because there are many overweight people in Switzerland,” says Christoph Kilchenmann, chief economist at Santésuisse. “If 2% of the Swiss population is prescribed these drugs, it will cost 300 million francs just for the drug,” he continues.
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The reimbursement of Wegovy for patients with obesity will make it possible to keep Ozempic as a priority for diabetics, who have had to suffer shortages of this drug in recent months.
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Chloé Steulet/edel