O Wegovy an obesity medication from Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, is already being sold in Brazilian pharmacies. The weekly injection is composed of semaglutide, the same component as Ozempic, and was approved by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) for treatment of obesity and overweight in January 2023.
Wegovy was expected to go on sale in August of this year. However, pharmacies in the DPSP Group, which owns the Drogarias Pacheco and Drogaria São Paulo brands, made the drug available for purchase on their website and app starting July 18. The drug will be available in physical stores according to the distribution schedule below:
- 19/07: São Paulo Drugstore (in all states except Bahia and Pernambuco);
- 07/24: All Pacheco units in Brazil;
- 25/07: Sao Paulo Drugstore units in Bahia and Pernambuco.
In addition, pharmacies in the RD Saúde group — Droga Raia and Drogasil — are also making the medicine available on the brands’ websites. Contacted by CNN the group’s press office stated that the medicine is already available in physical pharmacies in São Paulo and Paraná. By the 31st, it will reach branches in all states in the country.
How much does Wegovy cost in Brazil?
According to an investigation carried out by CNN On pharmacy websites, the price of Wegovy varies according to the concentration of semaglutide per dose. Prices range from R$1,228.14 (0.25 mg to 1 mg) to R$2,366.15 (2.4 mg).
What is Wegovy and what is it for?
Wegovy is a semaglutide-based medication indicated for the treatment of obesity and overweight. It is considered a “sibling” of Ozempic, approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, as it has the same active ingredient, but in different concentrations: Wegovy can be found with a concentration of 2.4 mg of semaglutide per dose, while Ozempic has up to 1.34 mg per dose.
Semaglutide is a molecule analogous to GLP-1 and helps delay gastric emptying, promoting a longer feeling of satiety. In addition, the component acts directly on insulin secretion by the pancreas, helping to regulate blood glucose levels.
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Source: CNN Brasil
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