Novo Nordisk announced the launch of its highly successful anti-obesity drug, Wegovy, in Japan on February 22 next year, marking its first introduction in Asia. The decision comes despite the ongoing challenge of meeting high demand in current markets.
Japan is the sixth country to see Wegovy’s launch, chosen by the Danish pharmaceutical giant, even though obesity rates in Japan are significantly lower compared to Western countries.
In Japan, most patients will cover 30% of Wegovy’s medical expenses, aligning with the reimbursement policy for other drugs. The monthly cost for patients will be 7,504 Japanese yen for a 0.25-milligram starter dose and 42,960 yen for the full 2.4 mg dose. Eligibility criteria in Japan include having a body mass index (BMI) above 35, or above 27 with two or more obesity-related comorbidities.
Japan’s obesity rate is one of the lowest globally, with only 4.5% of adults classified as obese in 2019. Despite this, Novo Nordisk sees potential in the Japanese market. However, the company has struggled to keep up with the soaring demand for Wegovy, an appetite-suppressing drug, leading to limited launches and treatment availability.
Wegovy is available only in the U.S., Britain, Germany, Norway, and Denmark. As the first in a new class of weight-loss drugs, Wegovy’s supply constraints might give Eli Lilly’s upcoming Mounjaro weight-loss drug advantage.
* News input was taken from Reuters
