Novo Nordisk reported an earnings miss, causing a 4% stock drop. The company faces challenges in the US market, losing its lead to Eli Lilly due to copycat drugs exploiting a loophole. Novo Nordisk was one of 17 companies demanded by the Trump administration to lower drug prices.

Novo Nordisk’s outgoing CEO mentioned that prices for Medicaid are already lower than in Europe. The company aims for affordable access to its products. Experts have doubts about the success of cash markets for brand name drugs. However, NovoCare sees 10% of Wegovy patients paying cash.

Novo Nordisk is confident in the cash channel’s potential, with direct-to-consumer sales increasing. The compounding market gives insight into cash-paying customers. Hims and Hers, previously cut ties with Novo, offers copycat drugs at lower prices. NovoCare’s price for Wegovy is $499 per month.

Anjalee Khemlani covers the pharma industry, including GLP-1s. For more financial news, visit Yahoo Finance.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: Cash pay is ‘going to constitute a major part of the Wegovy business’: Novo Nordisk CFO