GLP-1 weight loss drug maker Vigoway is promising a “low, predictable monthly price” for patients who use a new subscription program for the drug.
The savings add up to $600 a year for Vigovi pills and up to $1,200 a year for Vigovi injections with a 12-month subscription, pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk announced Tuesday, March 31.
The program is now available to self-pay patients who do not have traditional insurance, says Jimmy Miller, CEO of US operations.
“We want patients to stick with treatment over time, and that’s what drives this subscription model,” Miller told NBC News’ Anne Thompson.
Dr. Jorge Moreno, an obesity specialist at Yale Medicine, says 20-25% of his patients pay out-of-pocket for GLP-1 drugs because insurance coverage can be unpredictable.
“This subscription plan can help them if they spend $250 a month, which is still a lot,” he told Thompson.
Vigovi is Ozympic’s approved prescription for weight loss. Both drugs contain semaglutide, which mimics a hormone that the body produces after eating. It reduces appetite and causes a feeling of fullness, helping people lose weight.
How does the Wegovy subscription program work?
It’s available through Ro, WeightWatchers and LifeMD, starting March 31.
Other telehealth providers, including Himes & Harris and Sesame, will soon follow, the company says.
Self-pay patients can choose a three-, six- or 12-month Wigway subscription.
People who already pay for these telehealth services will benefit the most because their costs will go down, Moreno said.
But others will pay a membership fee to join and participate in a subscription program, which may limit the savings they will experience.
Moreno also wondered what kind of “off ramp” would be offered to patients who wanted to stop taking the drug during the participation period.
“Patients who sign up to any of these three companies, they really need to be aware: What are their options for signing up? What happens if the drug doesn’t work for them?” Moreno said.
“What will happen if the drug causes them significant side effects? How will this company handle it? And what if they want to stop? What if they are no longer part of this company?”
Miller noted that each telehealth provider will have its own terms and conditions regarding reimbursement.
How much does it cost?
For terms, self-pay prices are currently $345 per month for the Vigo pen and $299 for the pill, according to Novo Nordisk. (Some lower doses are cheaper as part of limited-time offers.)
Here are the prices for the new subscription program:
For the wigway pen:
Patients will pay the same price for the injection regardless of the Vigovi dose.
- A three-month subscription costs $329 per month, a savings of $240 per year.
- A six-month subscription costs $299 per month, saving you $600 per year.
- A 12-month subscription costs $249 per month, a savings of $1,200 per year.
For the wigway doll:
The program covers doses of 9 mg and 25 mg. Low doses currently cost less as part of a limited time offer.
- A three-month subscription costs $289 per month, saving you $120 per year
- A six-month subscription costs $269 per month, saving you $360 per year
- A 12-month subscription costs $249 per month, saving you $600 per year.
Miller believes the cost will come down over time. “Cash rates are still affordable,” he says.
This story first appeared on TODAY.com. More from today:
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