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Explaining the price cut on Novo Nordisk's GLP-1s
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Novo Nordisk is slashing the list price of its GLP-1 drugs Ozempic, Rybelus, and Wegovy to $675 a month, the pharmaceutical company announced yesterday, arguing that the move will expand access for patients. And some people will benefit, namely insured patients who pay coinsurance, or those in high-deductible plans who pay the list price before meeting that predetermined amount.
But as STAT's Elaine Chen explains, the price cut won't necessarily push more insurers and employers to cover the drugs, which would be key to helping more people afford them. That's because of the difference between that list price and what's called the net price — the actual prices that payers are charged after any rebates and discounts. Read more on how things might play out in the complicated world of drug pricing.
dentistry discussions
What happens at the dentist doesn't stay at the dentist
People (hi, I'm people) often see their dentist more regularly than their primary care provider. That gives dentists a rare opportunity to spot early signs of health issues like substance use or mental distress. That is, if they're willing to look, dentist Divya Upadhyay argues in a new First Opinion essay.
Dental procedures can serve as the first point of opioid exposure for many patients. And in that case, "they should also serve as structured entry points for prevention, screening, education, and referral," Upadhyay writes. Read more about how dentists can help patients with substance use disorders.
And if you're looking for more dental news, the University of Minnesota's Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy is releasing this week a three-part series on the life-threatening risks that accompany the second-most prescribed antibiotic for dental procedures.
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