HEALTH Minister Mark Butler has committed to including Wegovy (semaglutide, Novo Nordisk) on the PBS, following the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee's (PBAC) recommendation for the listing at its Nov meeting (PD Breaking News 19 Dec 2024).
Minister Butler confirmed his plans to work with Novo Nordisk to see the medication listed on the PBS for severe obesity (BMI of 35 or higher) with established cardiovascular disease.
"We'll be working with the company to sit down and agree a price that works for them but also works for taxpayers because we're committed to listing every recommendation we receive from that group of experts," Minister Butler said on Sunrise.
"Right now, there's more than 400,000 Australians who pay private prices just to get this weight-loss benefit and other benefits as well, but that's as much as $4000 or $5000 a year," he said.
"It's beyond the means of many Australians who really would benefit from this.
"It's an equity issue as well as a health issue from my perspective."
Minister Butler acknowledged there is also likely to be a "very big bill for taxpayers".
"So it's incumbent on us as the government to negotiate a good price," he said. KB
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 13 Jan 26
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 13 Jan 26
