The annual cost of overall care for patients prior to taking Wegovy or a similar drug was $12,371, on average, according to the analysis.
The costs for a similar control group of patients not taking the drugs decreased by 4% over the same period.
The analysis by Prime Therapeutics, a pharmacy benefits manager (PBM), reviewed pharmacy and medical claims data for 4,255 people with commercial health plans.
For the analysis, Prime Therapeutics excluded patients with type 2 diabetes to focus on obesity treatment.
In trials with adults, Novo found that 6.8% of patients taking Wegovy discontinued treatment due to gastrointestinal problems and other adverse events.
Persons:
Wegovy, Khrysta Baig, Patrick Gleason, Novo, aren't, Gleason, David Lassen, Lassen, Chad Terhune, Michele Gershberg, Bill Berkrot
Organizations:
Reuters, Vanderbilt University, Novo Nordisk, Prime Therapeutics, Therapeutics, U.S, Blue, Thomson
Locations:
Danish