Wegovy will be made available through Medicare after approval for use in reducing the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.
Wegovy, a drug which has seen massive demand in recent years due its weight loss properties, will now be made available to Medicare patients to help reduce their risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The move comes after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Wegovy for use in treating the conditions earlier this month, following an application by its manufacturer Novo Nordisk. Previously, the popular drug had been primarily used in treating obesity and diabetes.
«CMS has issued guidance to Medicare Part D plans stating that anti-obesity medications (AOMs) that receive FDA approval for an additional medically accepted indication can be considered a Part D drug for that specific use,» a spokesperson for the federal agency said.
They added: «Part D coverage is still not available for AOMs when used for chronic weight management in patients who do not have the additional medically accepted indication, unless provided as a supplemental benefit by the Part D plan.»
The CMS said that the approval meant Part D plans could include the drug within the current contract year—suggesting Wegovy could be available to some Medicare recipients as early as this year.
