US patients typically stop using Wegovy after six months, Novo Nordisk reveals
Patients in the United States are typically discontinuing their use of Novo Nordisk’s weight-loss medication Wegovy after approximately six months, according to an executive’s statement on Wednesday, 7th of July, 2024. Doug Langa, who oversees Novo’s operations in North America, disclosed this during a discussion with analysts following the pharmaceutical company’s decision to lower its annual profit forecasts, driven by Wegovy’s sales falling below expectations.
This revelation about the duration of Wegovy use contrasts sharply with statements from March at Novo’s capital markets day, where it was noted that 32% of users in the US continued the treatment for over a year. Langa highlighted the significant discrepancy in the anticipated versus actual usage times of this in-demand weight-loss therapy amidst ongoing discussions about its affordability for individuals, employers, and public health services.
Last month, a report by Reuters using data from US pharmacy claims indicated a decline in patient adherence over the long term: only one in four patients prescribed Wegovy or Ozempic for weight management were still on the medication two years later.
When queried about these figures in a post-earnings release interview with Reuters, Novo Nordisk’s Chief Financial Officer, Karsten Munk Knudsen, acknowledged the variability in patient commitment to the treatment. “Yes, there are some patients who are on and off, but there are also a lot of patients that stay on therapy for a long period of time,” he explained. Knudsen expressed optimism regarding the adherence data from the US and other countries, including Denmark, suggesting a nuanced picture of patient engagement with the therapy.
Novo Nordisk has introduced Wegovy in 12 markets globally, with the United States emerging as the most significant and profitable among them. The brief duration of treatment in the US, however, raises questions about the long-term viability and impact of this medication on Novo Nordisk’s financial performance and on the broader public health agenda.
