Sanders. Photo: Susan Walsh-Pool/Getty Images
Senate HELP Chairman Bernie Sanders said today the committee will vote next Tuesday on subpoenaing the president of Novo Nordisk to testify on pricing for its blockbuster anti-obesity drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.
Why it matters: It is an escalation in Sanders' pressure campaign to lower the prices for the blockbuster drugs, which sell for considerably less abroad.
What they're saying: "The American people — Democrats, Republicans and independents — are sick and tired of paying, by far, the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs," Sanders said.
- He said the U.S. prices of Wegovy and Ozempic were far higher than the prices paid in other countries.
- The committee sought voluntary testimony, but the company had refused, he said.
The other side: A representative from Novo Nordisk said the company had offered a range of dates to voluntarily testify alongside other stakeholders in the drug pricing system, such as PBMs.
- The company said it had been responsive to Sanders' staff and that a subpoena is "unnecessary."
What's next: Earlier this year, Sanders scheduled a subpoena vote for other drug company executives, but ended up canceling it when they agreed to voluntarily testify.
- Subpoenas are very rare for the HELP Committee.
