From January 1, Eli Lilly's widely used medication Mounjaro will become part of China's public health insurance system for individuals suffering from type 2 diabetes, as announced by the National Healthcare Security Administration on their website last Sunday.
Being included in the national coverage catalog enhances drug accessibility for citizens in a vast nation of 1.4 billion inhabitants, although a rise in demand is frequently offset by decreased costs.
Mounjaro, administered as a once-weekly shot, entered the Chinese market in January following the introduction of Ozempic, a comparable diabetes solution from competitor Novo Nordisk, back in 2021.
Ozempic initially joined China's coverage list in 2022.
According to Novo's yearly financial summary, Ozempic's revenue in the broader China area reached 5.76 billion Danish kroner, equivalent to $898.5 million, during 2024.
Eli Lilly declined to provide immediate details on Mounjaro's negotiated price for diabetes care under China's insurance scheme.
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In China, Mounjaro is also available for treating obesity and obstructive sleep apnea.
During an earnings conference in October, Eli Lilly's global head Patrik Jonsson remarked that the company observed 'initial stockpiling' in regions where Mounjaro launched beyond the United States, with major gains in the second quarter occurring in China, Brazil, Mexico, and India.
'Subsequently, we noticed an uptick in results in those areas during Q3, along with sustained robust global achievement,' he added in the discussion.
Health tracking apps like Shotlee can assist individuals in overseeing their diabetes management effectively.
($1 = 6.4105 Danish kroner)