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Novo Nordisk could be open to flexible pricing schemes for its obesity treatment, Wegovy (semaglutide); The company is considering risk-sharing agreements with healthcare systems to spread the costs of the therapy over time Speaking to the Financial Times (FT) in the UK, Lars Fruergaard Jørgensen, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Novo suggested that a flexible pricing scheme would "make it possible to adopt medicines upfront, see the benefits and pay down the road” In the case of Wegovy, a risk-sharing agreement could spread the cost over a period of time where the healthcare system in question sees savings in other areas caused by the effects of the drug, such as cardiovascular events. In November, Novo Nordisk published the full outcomes of its Phase 3 SELECT trial which found that weekly injections of Wegovy reduce the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) by 20% over a period of up to five years versus placebo
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Alexion's Kanuma (sebelipase alfa) for the long-term treatment of Wolman disease patients two years or younger, despite the cost-effectiveness being "uncertain". Kanuma will be funded through NHS England's Innovative Medicines Fund (IMF) and will "not enter managed access"NHS England's IMF, launched in June last year, aims to fast-track "promising" medicines to patients in need. Kanuma is the third treatment to be funded through the scheme, following Cosentyx (secukinumab) for hidradenitis suppurativa and Hepcludex (bulevirtide) for chronic hepatitis DAccording to NICE’s final recommendation, the list price of Kanuma is £6,286 for a 20 mg vial. However, a simple discount patient access scheme makes it available to the NHS at a confidential discount
The Austrian government has agreed on a major healthcare reform, allocating an additional EUR 14 billion over the next five years to strengthen the healthcare systemThe reform includes measures such as structural reforms in hospitals, expansion of digital offerings, health promotion, vaccination programs, and medication supply - Notable changes for the pharmaceutical industry include the creation of a rating board for expensive medications, joint procurement efforts, and the gradual implementation of a publicly financed vaccination programThe new independent medicines evaluation board will evaluate “newly developed, high-priced medicinal specialties” according to “factual and scientific criteria” and make a recommendation, with the intent to create a more uniform and transparent system
Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug, Wegovy (semaglutide), has been added to Japan's national health insurance listMost patients in Japan will pay 30% of medical expenses for Wegovy, and the monthly cost for patients will be approximately $50.15 for a starter dose and $429.60 for a higher doseWegovy's approval and success, along with other products like Ozempic, recently propelled Novo Nordisk to become Europe's most valuable company, surpassing LVMH in market value
Upcoming European legislation review could force Novo Nordisk, the most valuable drugmaker in Europe, to prioritize expansion in the U.S. Novo Nordisk's CEO and other senior leadership members have expressed more concerns about the negative impact of the proposed legislation on the European pharmaceutical industry - The company believes that there needs to be an ecosystem that allows collaboration between larger pharmaceutical companies and smaller ones for growth opportunities. Shortened exclusivity periods could further discourage companies from investing in Europe's marketThe exclusivity period is of particular concern for both big and small pharma. Regulatory data protection affects companies’ decisions to invest in innovation and to bring scientific innovation to launch on the Union market, but the legislation shortens this window
The Zorginstituut (ZIN) has advised the Minister of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS) to reimburse Roche’s Hemlibra (emicizumab) via the “lock for expensive medicines” for the prophylactic treatment of bleeding in patients with hemophilia A without inhibitors against factor VIII from the basic health insurance package after price negotiationsAccording to the ZIN, Hemlibra reduces bleeding events in severe hemophilia A patients, with the only drawback being its higher cost compared to standard careThe lock exists to make new, expensive medicines that are used in the hospital accessible in an affordable way and to keep them within the basic package - Only medicines with a high price or high financial risk are placed in the lock.
Finalized prices were released for China's 9th round of volume-based procurement (VBP)Of the 205 winning manufacturers, just five foreign companies won six tender spotsSwitzerland-based Ferring was the only originator company to win a tender spot
Janssen has filed a legal complaint against Germany's GKV Financial Stabilization Act, claiming it violates the freedom to practice a profession and the guarantee of legal protection. It has also become the first company to file a constitutional rebuttal to the Supply Bottleneck Act (ALBVVG)Roche and AbbVie also filed legal complaints against the same law earlier this year, with AbbVie challenging regulations on pricing and Roche attacking measures such as mandatory manufacturer rebates and price freezesA recent report shows that the law has not resulted in significant savings but has made the process more complex
The State-Regions Conference in Italy has finally approved a regulation for the reform of the Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) after a year of delaysThe reform includes merging the price and technical-scientific commissions into a single body called the Scientific and Economic Commission (CSE), which will have 10 members instead of the current 20The roles of the AIFA's Director General will be abolished, and two new positions, the Scientific Director and the Administrative Director, will be established. The regions will have a more influential role in appointing members of the CSE
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) plans to share its experience with antimicrobial payment models with other countries to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR)Antimicrobials face unique market failures, requiring innovative payment models to incentivize companies to develop new products; Last year the NHS implemented a pioneering subscription deal for two antimicrobial drugs, Fetcroja and Zavicefta, providing an annual payment to the companies regardless of the quantity prescribed. NICE is now considering a points-based approach to determine the value bands of antimicrobials and assess them through a scoring systemNICE intends to collaborate with global partners and share its learnings to influence and motivate other countries in combating AMR. The organization believes its pragmatic approach can be easily replicated to address the challenges posed by treatment resistant infections
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