Today’s news / Denmark Tightens Subsidies for Novo’s Diabetes Drug
The price of the most common GLP-1 medicine, Ozempic, is roughly twice as expensive as the most relevant treatment alternative, which according to the Danish Medicines Agency is the SGLT-2 inhibitor. (Archive photo). Photo: Lee Smith/Reuters

Denmark Tightens Subsidies for Novo’s Diabetes Drug

Subsidies for GLP-1 analog diabetes medication, primarily Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, will be harder to obtain to save Danish regions millions. The Danish Medicines Agency has decided to tighten the subsidy clause for certain GLP-1 analogs, following a significant increase in new diabetes patients commencing treatment directly with these drugs rather than cheaper alternatives. The change implies that around half of the current GLP-1 analog users will shift to less costly medication. Last year, over 100,000 patients received subsidies, mostly for Ozempic, which costs about twice as much as the alternative SGLT-2 inhibitors. The tighter subsidy policy, effective from November 25, 2024, is expected to reduce public expenditure on drug subsidies, according to the agency.