Germany's Strict Healthcare System: Novo Nordisk Popular Weight Loss Drug's Four Week Course Available For €301.91

Novo Nordisk A/S's NVO widely used weight-loss medication, Wegovy, will be priced at €301.91 ($338.35) for a four-week course of the highest dosage in Germany. 

The drug will be launched in Europe's biggest pharmaceutical market by the end of this month.

The company urged German doctors to restrict prescriptions to medically necessary cases and prioritize patients with a body mass index of 30 or more or those with a chronic condition and a BMI of at least 27.

Related: Famed Weight Loss Drug Wegovy by Novo Nordisk Sees Significant Drop In Long-Term Use, Study Reveals.

Starting next week, German pharmacies can order the weekly injectable from wholesale distributors.

Germany's healthcare system, one of the strictest in Europe concerning weight-loss drug reimbursement, means Wegovy will be accessible only to those paying out-of-pocket or having specific private health insurance plans.

So far, Wegovy is available in Norway and Denmark within Europe, with a monthly cost between $160 and $350 without private insurance reimbursement.

The starter dosage of 0.25 milligrams in Germany will cost €171.92 for 28 days, roughly translating to €187 per month, shows Reuters calculations. 

The weekly Wegovy dose is gradually increased over 16 weeks to reach the maintenance dosage of 2.4 milligrams. 

The monthly expenses for German patients on this maintenance dosage will be around €328.

Challenges in production and Novo Nordisk's struggle to meet the surging demand in the US, the largest market, have resulted in a slower European rollout of Wegovy than anticipated. 

The booming demand is primarily driven by non-obese individuals, including celebrities, looking to lose excess weight, often publicizing this on social media.

Novo Nordisk filed lawsuits against three pharmacies for illegally selling products claiming to contain semaglutide, the active ingredient in its weight loss and diabetes drugs.

Price Action: NVO shares are up 2.24% at $160.40 on the last check Friday.