NORTH CAROLINA — State employees such as teachers and police officers will no longer be eligible for weight loss assistance on North Carolina's dime.
Starting Monday, the North Carolina Health Plan no longer covers popular weight loss drugs such as Wigovy, Ozempic and Saxenda.
It's all because of cost. State Treasurer Dale Folwell said in a recent study he found that WeGovy only costs about $22 a month to produce, but the list price is $1,350 a month.
Falwell said that even though Nova Nordisk is making huge profits, price volatility exists. Within his first six months of 2023 profits he increased by 32%.
Nova Nordisk, the company that makes this product, sells the exact same product in the Netherlands for just $296 a month.
[ ALSO READ: The pros and cons of popular weight loss drugs ]
The weight-loss drug is used by more than 20,000 people enrolled in the state's health plan, and treasurers say an increase is needed for everyone enrolled in the plan to continue covering everyone else's medication. He said it would be.
The treasurer said this was not an issue of effectiveness. It's about cost.
“Even a few months ago, when they flew across the pond to meet us, they were talking about how this drug works. And I was like, does it work? “It's not a question of whether, it's a question of how much you have to pay for it,” Falwell said.
The state health plan will continue to cover Wegovy and Ozempic when used for diabetes. It's not just for weight loss. Falwell said negotiations with drug companies are continuing.
(See below: Counterfeit Ozempic products reported nationwide, FDA says)
This browser does not support the video element.
