In a statement, the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk announced the arrival of the medicine on the Brazilian market; the drug has the same active ingredient as Ozempic: semaglutide
The medicine Wegovywhich has as its active ingredient semaglutide and is indicated for treatment obesity and overweight, will begin to be sold in Brazilian pharmacies in the second half of this year, according to a statement released on Thursday 25th by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, manufacturer of the product.
Wegovy has the same active ingredient as Ozempicoapproved for the treatment of diabetes but which, due to its slimming effect, has also been prescribed by doctors for obesity in a off label (when it is indicated for an indication other than that for which the medicine has been approved).
Wegovy has been approved by National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) in January 2023, it went through the price-fixing process at the Medicines Market Regulatory Chamber (CMED) in the middle of last year and was expected to hit the market in 2023. In July, however, the pharmaceutical company stated that the medicine would only be available this year, without specifying which month.
Novo Nordisk did not explain the reason for the delay in making the drug available, but, in 2023, a company representative said the product would only be launched when the pharmaceutical company could guarantee that patients would have access to treatment without interruptions. In the United States, where Wegovy is already sold, the product is in short supply.
The pharmaceutical company did not reveal the price at which Wegovy should arrive in pharmacies, but CMED has already defined its maximum price: in higher doses it could reach R$ 2,484, depending on the tax on the circulation of goods and services ( ICMS) of each. State. In Sao Paulo, for example, this version can cost up to R$ 2,383.43.
But patients will be able to find lower prices in stores, in addition to any discounts offered by patient support programs. It is worth remembering that the price also varies according to the presentation of the medicine, which will be sold in 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg versions. The drug, administered via subcutaneous injection, is generally prescribed to be used once a week.
The remedy is indicated for patients with an initial body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (obesity) or greater than or equal to 27 kg/m2 (overweight) if accompanied by at least one weight-related comorbidity, such as diabetes or hypertension.
Semaglutide acts as if it were GLP-1, a hormone that signals the brain to feel full. It also reduces the rate of gastric emptying. In clinical trials, a weekly dose of 2.4 mg of semaglutide led to an average weight loss of 15.2%, compared to 2.6% in the group of patients not taking the drug./COLLABORATES WITH GIOVANNA CASTRO
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
