STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Medicare and obesity drugs, Germany’s pricing plans, and more

STAT PlusNewsletterPharmalot Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Medicare and obesity drugs, Germany’s pricing plans, and more The FDA will allow Colorado to import certain prescription drugs from Canada Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanJune 16, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Rise and shine, everyone, another busy day is on the way. And it is getting off to a pleasant start here on the Pharmalot campus, where clear blue skies and comfy breezes are greeting us. Moreover, the official mascots succeed in spotting various varmints — foxes and possums, to be specific, but thankfully, no vultures. As for us, we are heating our spiffy new replacement kettle for another cuppa stimulation. Our choice today is old-fashioned green teas. And here is a helpful tip — a teaspoon of honey enhances the flavors splendidly. Of course, you are invited to join us. For the full experience, we are now hawking replicas — take a look. Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest. As always, do keep in touch. We appreciate feedback, criticism, and tips. … Weight loss drugs will be available to adults 65 and older in Medicare for the first time next month, thanks to a government program that is supposed to be temporary — but it may be difficult to end, STAT explains. By law, Medicare is prohibited from paying for obesity drugs, but the Trump administration is circumventing the law by making the drugs available in a demonstration program. Initially, Medicare hoped to push private Medicare insurers to voluntarily cover the drugs in a three-year program called Balance, which would have started following a short transitional period. But insurers balked, so the government is instead extending the transitional coverage program, called Bridge, until the end of next year.Advertisement Novo Nordisk chief executive officer Mike ​Doustdar said the company plans to seek Chinese regulatory approval ‌for its Wegovy weight loss pill “very soon” as it moves to catch up with Eli Lilly in the world’s second-largest pharmaceutical market, Reuters tells us. The patent for semaglutide, the active ​ingredient in Novo’s blockbusters Wegovy and Ozempic, expired in China in March, though the company ​has regulatory data protection until early next year. Doustdar said he expected competition from generic drugmakers from the second quarter of next year. Novo won early approval in the U.S. and the U.K. for its Wegovy pill and launched ​it in the U.S. ​this year. Lilly ⁠followed quickly, securing U.S. approval in April for its oral drug orforglipron. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In pharmalittle, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed’s stories explore prescription drug pricing, affordability and access, as well issues surrounding patents, litigation, and legislation. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Pharmalot June 15, 2026 STAT Plus: FDA approves Colorado’s plan to import cheaper drugs from Canada Pharmalot June 15, 2026 STAT Plus: A key European clinical trial registry lacks complete and timely results, an analysis finds Advertisement Pharmalot June 15, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about Pfizer’s emergency penicillin program, a Sanofi diabetes drug, and more Pharmalot June 12, 2026 STAT Plus: Up and down the ladder: The latest comings and goings Pharmalot June 12, 2026 STAT Plus: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a discontinued cancer drug, a Novo security breach, and more Subscriber Picks