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

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.&nbsp;
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

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Boyd Swinburn: Auckland University professor on whether or not the Government needs to fund Wegovy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/0cbf6c82-d82f-4070-8b64-b30d00655796/transcript