Dutch Government Rejects Coverage for Novo Nordisk Drug

The Dutch Health Care Institute advised the Netherlands government against covering Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy under basic insurance due to uncertainties about its long-term benefits and high costs, potentially totaling 1.3 billion euros annually. Novo Nordisk expressed disappointment, citing the potential benefits for around 4 million Dutch citizens. Concerns were raised about the global shortage of Wegovy's main ingredient, semaglutide, crucial for diabetes treatment. The institute emphasized the need to prioritize patients who would derive the most significant benefits from the drug, highlighting the challenges in balancing effectiveness and costs in healthcare decisions.