There's expectations weight-loss drug Wegovy will eventually be funded publicly, according to experts.
It's become available from pharmacies under prescription - from today.
It's not funded by Pharmac, and costs about $500 dollars per month.
Auckland University population nutrition professor, Boyd Swinburn, says that is unaffordable for the public purse.
"When the first generation of these drugs come off patent, their price will drop enormously and that will give Pharmac a chance to really negotiate the price."
LISTEN ABOVE

Gavin Grey: UK correspondent on Labour's poor showing at the local elections
03:41

Geoff Bertram: energy economist on the Greens calling for the Government to bring down power prices
05:43

Shane Solly: Harbour Asset Management expert on the market reactions to the 'no deal' announcement on the Middle East conflict
03:07