Should you’re a Novo Nordisk A/S worker with weight problems, you should have entry to a singular firm perk: Free Wegovy.
Novo gives to reimburse employees who’ve been prescribed the costly weight-loss drug by a physician in its homeland Denmark, the corporate mentioned by e-mail. The perk, which continues to be taxable, can be out there to staff identified with situations that different Novo medication deal with, akin to diabetes and hemophilia.
The pharmaceutical big is struggling to fulfill surging demand for Wegovy in its key US market the place it’s presently limiting the sale of starter doses to safeguard provides for sufferers already on the drug. Denmark, the place Novo employs about 21,000 folks, is without doubt one of the few European markets the place the drugmaker thus far has launched the weight problems drug.
Novo doesn’t have a particular provide from which it distributes medicines to its employees, and staff are taxed on the profit, the corporate mentioned in an emailed assertion.
Staff should in fact meet with the overall practitioner, be identified and get a prescription, like another Danish citizen,” Novo mentioned. “These pharmaceutical benefit practices also exist in other global organizations.”
Danish medical doctors have reported they face immense Wegovy demand from sufferers and a further workload consequently. Virtually 100,000 Danes have used the drug because it was launched in December, based on information from the Danish Well being Authority. It takes a BMI of no less than 30, which is taken into account overweight, to get a prescription for Wegovy in Denmark, or 27 for folks affected by weight-related well being issues.
Whereas Novo for a very long time has provided to reimburse staff who want to make use of the medicines it has developed, the coverage has drawn renewed consideration as a consequence of Wegovy’s reputation and expense. In Denmark, the acquisition value quantities to nearly 30,000 kroner ($4,400) a yr.
