New weight loss products as potential health care cost drivers

High-impact drugs, such as the new GLP-1 ingredients, inevitably lead to discussions about their costs. Since only Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have approved drugs on the market so far, they have some pricing power.

The cost of Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) is $1,349 per pack per month, while Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide) is just under $1,100.

In the short term, the funds will undoubtedly drive up costs. As shown by Helsana’s currently available data for Switzerland, the costs for the active ingredient semaglutide for the treatment of diabetes and obesity amounted to almost 52 million francs in 2021 and 81 million francs in 2022.

“These drugs are already increasing the costs of basic insurance and will certainly continue to do so,” predicts Manuel Elmiger, health economist at Helsana, in an interview with AWP. However, it is difficult to make assumptions about the size. You should look at how many people are obese and how availability on the market is developing. The expert says:

However, long-term use has not yet been investigated.

A review of the Lombard Odier sofa sounds similar:

A recent study with Novo’s Wegovy found a 20 percent reduction in cardiovascular events (heart attacks or myocardial infarctions); Another study showed that the drug slowed the progression of chronic kidney disease and reduced the risk of death from kidney failure. Further clinical trials are underway. “So the key is for payers to think about the total cost of health care spending per patient, with the prospect of reducing health care costs for obesity-related diseases, even as the cost of treatment could increase.”

Marco Bueter, head of surgery at the Obesity Center Zurich (USZ), is a bit more critical. Although he sees the new drugs as a welcome addition to current treatment options, he also warns about the costs. For example, a surgical procedure means a one-off higher expense for the payer, but the follow-up costs are clearly lower than for new medicines. If in doubt, these should be taken for life. (sda/awp)