Dr Ana Svensson: Novo Nordisk Oceania Senior Medical Director on Wegovy being available in New Zealand

The count-down's on for New Zealand chemist sales of weight-loss drug Wegovy.

A pharmacist has told our newsroom the hunger-suppressing drug will be available on prescription from next Tuesday

Novo Nordisk Oceania Senior Medical Director Dr Ana Svensson says the cost of the drug is expected to be around $500, as it's not funded by Pharmac.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
It looks like the drug that made oprah skinny is

(00:02):
going to be available in New Zealand. Shortly put this
in your diary. First of July. Next Tuesday, we go
V also known as ozempic, as going to be available,
but you will still need a prescription from your doctor.
Doctor Arna Spencon is the vice president Medical Oceania at
Novo Nordes because this is a company that makes Osempic
and is with us. Now Anna, hello, Hello, is Tuesday

(00:23):
the big day?

Speaker 2 (00:26):
Of course, it is a big day because it's very
important for us to being something that two point eight
million people in New Zealand may need. So it is
a major advancement for them. And these are the people
who are leaving the overweight and obesity and you need
to be able to get to their healthy wait and
maintain their healthy way.

Speaker 1 (00:45):
Okay, Can I just just make sure that you are
confirming it's happening on Tuesday, because up to now we've
had no official confirmation that I can see.

Speaker 2 (00:52):
Since Tuesday, Sylvia sayings from first of July will be available.

Speaker 1 (00:57):
Okay, how much is it going to cost?

Speaker 2 (01:01):
The cost will be absolutely similar to what Saxander is
in New Zealand. So approximately five hundred dollars New Zealand dollars,
of course, and that's how.

Speaker 1 (01:11):
We put get and that's for a month, is it?

Speaker 2 (01:15):
Yes?

Speaker 1 (01:15):
Okay, how much demand do you think there is going
to be in New Zealand?

Speaker 2 (01:20):
Well, I won't be able to tell you how much
demand will be that I can tell you how many
people in New Zealand lived in obesity? Is they set
two point eight million people or individuals living with obesity
in over eight and also we know that some of
them one hundred and seventy thousands of people are also
suffering from established cardiovascar disease. So what would be the

(01:43):
demand is difficult. The clinicians would need to see patients
and decide on the eligibis.

Speaker 1 (01:49):
I mean, of course it's one thing to need it,
it's another to be able to afford it. Is it
publicly funded?

Speaker 2 (01:56):
It's not public's hundred is yet it will be available
to you know, the patient can get the script from
their clinicians. We as a company, we are determined to
work with a government of Haarmak and see whether whether
we can get that rainburst for those that are eligible
but not yet.

Speaker 1 (02:16):
Okay, so what of the criticism though that there are
people who legitimately need this, you know, to be able
to manage their diabetes rather than just get their skinny
on and that they're going to they're going to potentially
lose out because everybody is going to try to get
slim off it.

Speaker 2 (02:30):
What do you say to that, Look, this, this product
with Goovi that's indicated for chronic rate management is something
that we have brought. It's effectiveate management solution. And also
it's not just that it's also recommended to be used
together with their lifestyle change reduced colorI diet and exercise

(02:55):
as well. When we talk about diabetic patients, then diabetic
patients have film products that they should be using for treatment.

Speaker 1 (03:03):
All right, Anna, thank you very much, really appreciate your time.
It's doctor Arna Spenson, who's the vice president Medical Oceania
Novo Nordisk. For more from Hither Duplessy Allen Drive, listen
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