Bernie Sanders Pushes for Affordable Ozempic Pricing in U.S. Healthcare

Bernie Sanders Takes a Stand on Ozempic Pricing

In a recent Senate hearing, Senator Bernie Sanders questioned the CEO of Novo Nordisk about the exorbitant prices of crucial diabetes and weight-loss drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy. Sanders stressed that these high costs could lead to

Preventable Deaths and Health Issues

Research indicates that around 40,000 Americans could die each year due to unaffordable medications. Sanders challenged the drugmaker’s CEO, Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, asking him if he felt any moral obligation to lower prices to prevent these deaths.

• Ozempic's list price in the U.S. is $969, starkly contrasted by its price of $155 in Canada.
• Wegovy costs $1,349 in the U.S. but merely $92 in the UK.

During the hearing, Sanders pointed out that these comparisons illustrate a troubling discrepancy in healthcare accessibility

Accountability and Calls for Change

The debate centered on whether pharmaceutical companies or pharmacy benefit managers bear responsibility for inflated prices. Jorgensen argued that lower list prices in the past had led to decreased patient access due to retaliatory actions by benefit managers.

This hearing formed part of an ongoing inquiry into pharmaceutical pricing practices where Sanders has been a leading voice. He emphasized the importance of affordable access to life-saving medicines for all Americans.