new york
CNN
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Some Americans may have to spend more this year Ozempic and Munjarotwo very popular diabetes drugs, are also used to: weight loss.
Pharmaceutical companies raised the list prices of these two drugs and about 900 other brand-name drugs in January, according to 46Brooklyn, a nonprofit drug price analysis firm.
The median increase rate was 4.7%, slightly lower than the typical annual increase rate since 2019 and much lower than the approximately 8% to 9% increase rate that was common in previous years. Ta.
Still, this year’s median increase rate was higher. inflationwhich fell to 3.1% in the 12 months to January.
Novo Nordisk has increased the list price of Ozempic by 3.5% to $969 for a four-week supply. The company told CNN that it increases list prices for some drugs annually based on changes in the health care system, inflation and market conditions. The company noted that since 2016, annual price increases for its drugs have not exceeded a single-digit percentage.
Last month, Eli Lilly raised the list price of Mounjaro by 4.5% to $1,069 for four weeks.
Neither company increased the list prices of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat obesity. Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy price for his four weeks is $1,349.Eli Lilly’s zep boundwas approved in November and costs $1,060.
For most Americans, the price they pay for a drug is determined by their health insurance contract, not the drug company’s list price. However, if you don’t have insurance or haven’t met your annual deductible, you may have to pay the list price.
Many drug companies also offer savings cards and patient assistance programs that can reduce out-of-pocket costs for certain people. For example, patients with commercial insurance that covers Wegovy and Ozempic can pay just $0 and $25, respectively, with the NovoHer Nordisk Savings Card. Those whose commercial insurance does not cover anti-obesity drugs can receive a $500 discount off Wegovy’s list price.
Eli Lilly offers a similar savings program for Mounjaro and Zepbound, offering a three-month supply for just $25 to those with commercial insurance that covers the drug. Masu.
Employers and private insurance companies are more likely to cover GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Munjaro when prescribed to treat diabetes, but many do not cover such weight loss drugs. Not compensated. There is no Medicare or most state Medicaid programs. Additionally, Nordisk says that while those enrolled in government programs are not eligible for savings cards, some Medicare recipients may be eligible for patient assistance that provides Ozempic free of charge. It is said that there is a sex.
Eli Lilly told CNN that it is working with policymakers to push for legislation that would expand coverage of anti-obesity drugs in government insurance programs.
of Spotty insurance coverage Purchasing drugs for weight loss means some Americans have to pay for the drugs in cash. super popular drugexposed to list price increases.
The high cost of medicines in general has long been one of Americans’ biggest concerns in healthcare. Even people who have health insurance that covers the medications they need may have difficulty paying out-of-pocket costs.
The price tags on multiple medications have forced Marlene Foss to make difficult decisions over the past year.
Foss, 72, was taking Entresto (costing $185 a month) for heart failure. Faxiga is meant to prevent her kidney failure, and her Medicare drug plan comes with a $145 monthly price tag. She chose to discontinue Entresto because she felt it was ineffective and she also did not want to take high doses.
“I had to make a choice,” said Foss, a registered nurse. She still works several days a week to pay for her medicine. “I decided to save my kidneys.”
Provided by Marlene Foss
Marlene Foss would rather travel to a place like Portugal than use her savings to pay for medicine.
The Doylestown, Pennsylvania, resident opted to have a device implanted in her heart last year so she could stop taking the blood thinner Eliquis to avoid a stroke. Part of the reason, she said, was that she wanted to be free from bills that cost her more than $500 for three treatments. Monthly supply.
Medicare and its Medigap supplement policy collected an estimated procedural cost of $100,000.
Foss has other plans for using the money he has saved “over 50 years of hard work on my feet.” She loves to travel and she is planning a trip to Italy in May.
“I don’t want to just put all my money into drugs,” she said. “I want to be able to enjoy life.”
When Mark Rapp enrolled in Medicare Advantage in 2020, he was shocked to learn that the medication he takes to combat the lingering side effects of gallbladder surgery would cost him $150 a month. This is more than three times the cost under her previous employer’s policy.
“I was going to say, ‘Forget it,'” said Rapp, 68, a retired school psychologist who lives in Mansfield, Ohio. “And I thought, ‘You’re backed into a corner.’ You don’t have a choice. You have to take this medicine.”
Initially, they tried to stock up on Welchol, which does not cause severe diarrhea even when eaten or eaten, by taking one-third of the recommended amount. But it didn’t work, so I was forced to go back to the full dose.
Provided by: Mark Rupp
Mark Rupp’s retirement plans changed after he learned how much he would have to pay for drugs when he enrolled in Medicare Advantage.
Rapp was able to switch to a $90 generic drug last year, but still has to work full time as a substitute teacher to cover the cost. That’s not what he planned when he moved from Idaho to Ohio to be closer to his son and his grandchildren.
“If you had $90 a month, you could probably find something else to do with it, like put it in a savings account for your grandchildren or use it for travel or buying groceries,” Rupp said. “That’s a lot of money that you won’t be paying soon.”
Lowering drug costs was one of President Joe Biden’s goals. Main talking points The 2024 presidential campaign is trying to highlight ways to provide relief to consumers.
He often mentions putting a cap on monthly tabs. insulin The fee for Medicare enrollees is $35 and is one of the drug pricing regulations. inflation control lawDemocrats passed Congress in 2022.
One of his administration’s most notable efforts was to Medicare negotiation The price of certain drugs will be lowered for the first time, which is expected to reduce costs for the federal government. In addition, pharmaceutical companies Medicare rebate Raising the prices of certain drugs faster than inflation could lower out-of-pocket costs for some beneficiaries. Both measures were included in the Inflation Control Act.
Former President Donald Trump also reveals he is running for re-election some suggestions and issued presidential order Aimed to reduce drug costs during his administration.he criticized pharmaceutical companies soaring prices.
Amid increased scrutiny from the White House, Congress and patient advocacy groups, some drug companies have curbed annual price increases for certain drugs. Another factor is recent policies This penalizes drug manufacturers who raise list prices faster than inflation.
“Over time, the focus has been less on growth,” said Antonio Ciaccia, CEO of 46Brooklyn. “At the same time, there has been a greater emphasis on increasing product launch prices.”
