Comment by loeg
Interesting that they're negotiating semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) but not tirzepatide (Zepbound/Mounjaro). Cynically, maybe a ploy to bolster a US pharma (Lily) as opposed to Danish Novo? I don't know anything about how this program selects drugs to negotiate.
It wouldn't surprise me if they picked who would be included based on which drugs should be relatively price flexible yet cost a lot. I've noticed that ozempic/wegovy prices have dropped in many markets recently, even price controlled ones, especially compared to Mounjaro, as the latter is seen as more effective and in short supply and has fewer generics available still.
In fact, by introducing new multi-dose versions to different regions, I'm starting to see Mounjaro prices reportedly double for some. The real kicker is that for some brands/doses the price doesn't vary whether you get more or less of the drug - so people end up asking to for a prescription to the highest dose off-label and then split the dose themselves.
For example, you can click the auto-injector pen a fewer number of clicks to measure out a smaller dose than what is normally injected by the pen, then relatively safely save it in the fridge for longer than recommended even without preservatives (some pens have and some don't).
It's frustrating when pricing decisions are made assuming insurance benefits and yet insurance isn't always available, e.g. unemployment. This thinking even applies in places that do regulate drug prices. But hey, you can always sign up for the manufacturer's discount program to get it cheaper, so, win-win right?