Well, folks, things are heating up! Remember when we chatted about Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly burning some serious cash to get Uncle Sam to back their obesity drugs? The latest buzz? New heart-healthy stats from Novo’s drug are shaking things up and making those dollar signs twinkle a bit brighter for these big players.
Here’s the scoop: Uncle Sam doesn’t want to pay for weight-loss magic pills, seeing them as more of a luxury than a need. But these bigwigs – Novo and Eli Lilly – have been emptying their piggy banks, dishing out a whopping $1.3 million this year. Why, you ask? They’re trying to get Congress to warm up to a bill that, if passed, would let Medicare cover the tab for these treatments.
Novo’s got a card up its sleeve! Their treatment slashes heart attack and stroke risks by a solid 20%. And guess what? They’re looking to get a thumbs-up for Wegovy, not just as a weight-fighter but as a heart saver too. Folks in the know reckon this might just be their golden ticket to get that sweet Medicare coverage.
Professor Stacie Dusetzina from Vanderbilt University spilled the beans: if you’ve had a heart scare, this drug might just become your new best friend. “Considering semaglutide, a key ingredient, is already covered for diabetes, this might just swing open doors for many patients,” she hinted.
Hold onto your hats: Wegovy and Mounjaro, Eli Lilly’s wonder drug, are racing ahead in the popularity game. Despite a whopping price tag of over $1,000 a month, demand for Wegovy shot up by 300% before supply hiccups slowed things down. Talk about hot cakes!
Novo and Eli Lilly? Mum’s the word from them. But the experts? They’re buzzing!
The Verdict?
Analysts are digging deep, and the vibe is strong! “This 20% drop in heart risks could be the game-changer we’ve been waiting for,” gushed BMO’s Evan Seigerman. But, like a TV drama, there’s a twist: will Medicare cover it without new laws? Some doctors are scratching their heads.
Dr. Eugene Yang, a heart whiz from University of Washington Medicine, dropped a hint. “Details matter, but a drug that tackles weight and hearts? Now, that’s something!”
The crystal ball from Morningstar’s Damien Conover suggests that insurance big shots might just warm up to these drugs. But there’s a catch: these drugs ain’t cheap. And making Medicare fork out more moolah? That’s a tall order.
Money Talks
Novo’s been making rain, shelling out $630,000 this year to sway the bigwigs in Washington. That’s almost double last year’s total! Eli Lilly’s not far behind, matching their last year’s lobbying splurge in just six months this year.
Together, these big fish have thrown more than $7.5 million into the ring over the past 10 years, trying to change the game.
But here’s the zinger: is it enough to get everyone singing the same tune? Dusetzina doesn’t seem so sure. “Changing the game in today’s political circus? That’s one tough cookie!” she quipped.
Whew! What a rollercoaster, right? Only time will tell how this will all shake out. But for now, folks, that’s the skinny! Stay tuned. 😉
