Hard to see the math working out. 70% of Americans are overweight. Wegovy costs are about $12,000 and the average household income is like $70k. We are talking about half the federal budget spending on wegovy
Sure, but we are talking about the US. If we are thinking outside the box, anything is possible. The US government could negotiate in bulk, licenses the IP, or even go in with the army and comandeer the factory and scientists.
I don't think it needs to go that far -- one of the effects of capitalism is indeed competition-induced reduction of prices. Pharma is a bit different, but with time prices should go down and availability should go up.
Also note that the battle of insurance coverage of the drug is raging -- many do not pay retail for the drug, and Wegovy improving heart conditions opens up another path to needing to be covered by insurers.
On the fringes, I read (can't remember where) that some other large pharmas in the US are working on their own formulations that trigger GLP1, and abroad India and China have taken an interest (there are quite a few Chinese research papers floating around on the effects).
