Proactive Investors - Novo Nordisk (CSE:NOVOb) (NYSE:NVO) has begun rolling out its Wegovy weight loss drug in China at well below the price of the product in the US.
A month’s supply of the starter dose of Wegovy in China has been priced at 1,400 yuan ($193.27), according to Chinese financial media outlet Yicai.
Patients across the US pay around $1,349 for a month’s supply in comparison, with Novo actively looking at ways to make the drug more affordable, Yicai-cited sources said.
China represents the world’s second-largest pharmaceuticals market and is estimated to house 180 million people living with obesity.
Novo in June secured approval to sell Wegovy in China, having launched the drug initially in 2021 in the US and rolled this out to 15 other countries since.
The launch places pressure on rival Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE:NYSE:LLY), which is yet to launch its weight loss drug in China, despite also gaining approval in July.
Novo shares fell 0.9% on Monday, as Eli Lilly slipped 4%.