On November 17th, Novo Nordisk announced that its glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) weekly formulation, semaglutide (trade name: Novo Nordisk), for long-term weight management, has been officially launched in China, providing weight loss options for overweight and obese patients in China.
The First Financial News reporter learned that with the official commercialization of Novo Nordisk, the first prescription of semaglutide for weight loss indication in public hospitals will be issued in Shanghai next week.
Regarding the pricing of Novo Nordisk, Novo Nordisk responded to First Financial reporters, "We have started applying for the Novo Nordisk provincial bidding website, and the sales price will refer to the provincial listing price
Previously, Novotex, a drug used by Novotex for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, had entered the medical insurance, and the cost of 3ml dose was less than 800 yuan.
In addition, the reporter learned that previously, Novoying had entered the private hospital channel and could make an appointment through the Internet platform, charging about 1400 yuan (a month's consumption). The First Financial News reporter randomly called the outpatient department of a private hospital in Shanghai, and the staff said that the supply of drugs is currently tight. A batch of goods will arrive next week, and patients need to make an appointment. After the relevant medication indications are evaluated in the outpatient department, the private hospital can issue a prescription to purchase them.
Novo Nordisk emphasizes the rational use of prescription drugs. Novo Nordisk stated that it will layout in multiple channels (including public hospitals, private hospitals, and pharmacy channels) based on the distribution of obese patients.
Novo Nordisk's Senior Vice President and President of Greater China, Zhou Xiaping, stated, "Novo Nordisk has not sold Novo and Taikoo and Novo and Ying through any online platforms (including e-commerce, social media, etc.), nor has it authorized or commissioned any third party to sell these two drugs on online platforms
At present, semaglutide, which is used for long-term weight management, has been included in the latest "Long term Weight Management and Drug Clinical Application Guidelines for Obese Patients (2024 Edition)" released by the National Health Commission. It not only improves multiple metabolic indicators, but also has a clear cardiovascular protective effect, which can prevent and improve obesity related complications.
Professor Ji Linong, Director of the Endocrinology Department at Peking University People's Hospital, is the chairman of the guideline writing committee. He told First Financial reporters that "new weight loss drugs represented by GLP-1RA are expected to become the main means of treating obesity in the future." However, he emphasized that patients with clinical weight loss needs should go to regular medical institutions for evaluation and diagnosis, and carry out scientific weight loss treatment.
Professor Zhu Dalong, director of the Endocrine and Metabolic Disease Medical Center at Nanjing Gulou Hospital, also told First Financial reporters that Novo Nordisk should strictly control its indications after going public. He also mentioned that clinical attention is currently focused on the reactions of obese patients after discontinuing medication. Based on our experience, patients with simple obesity can stop taking medication after losing weight according to their individual circumstances, but they still need to cooperate with a healthy lifestyle, "said Zhu Dalong.
The other indications for GLP-1 drugs are also highly concerned in the market, and more indications are expected to expand the patient population of this drug.
In March of this year, the US FDA approved the cardiovascular indications of semaglutide for weight loss. But in China, this indication has not yet been approved. Experts told First Financial reporters that if the cardiovascular indications for weight loss drugs are approved, it will help to include the drugs in national medical insurance.
Regarding this, Zhou Xiaping told a reporter from First Financial News, "According to current regulations, Nuohe Ying is not currently included in the reimbursement of drugs for national basic medical insurance. On the other hand, commercial insurance is playing an increasingly important role in China's multi-level medical security system. We are also actively exploring various forms of commercial insurance to improve patient affordability
Currently, about 180 million adults in China suffer from obesity, and the incidence rate continues to rise. This means huge market opportunities for both multinational and local pharmaceutical companies. In addition to Novo Nordisk, pharmaceutical companies such as Eli Lilly, Boehringer Ingelheim, Roche, and Pfizer are developing GLP-1 drugs for different indications. There are also a large number of generic drug manufacturers in China waiting for the expiration of Simeglutide patents, and market competition will further escalate.