New rules extend path to diabetes drugs

Beginning Monday, people with type 2 diabetes in Denmark will face longer processes to receive subsidies for GLP-1-analog diabetes medications, such as Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic. The changes mandated by the Danish Medicines Agency require patients to try less expensive alternatives before subsidy is granted for Ozempic. This move follows a significant rise in Ozempic prescriptions, with 100,000 patients receiving subsidies last year. Many had not tried cheaper options first, according to the agency. The Regions pay a large portion of the medication costs, straining their budgets with expenses reaching DKK 1.4 billion in 2023. As the drug also contains the weight loss substance semaglutide, there is debate whether some use it for its slimming effects rather than for diabetes treatment. Up to 27,000 individuals might need to switch medications due to the new rules. Tanja Thybo from the Danish Diabetes Association said it could take up to six months to evaluate the new policy’s impact.