Wegovy: Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are reportedly preparing to finalize agreements with the Trump administration that could significantly reduce the cost of their blockbuster weight loss medications in return for Medicare coverage, according to a White House source quoted by Reuters on Tuesday.Patients in the United States pay some of the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs—often nearly triple what consumers in other developed nations spend. President Donald Trump has been urging major pharmaceutical companies to bring prices down to align more closely with global standards.Cost of Weight Loss Drugs Is Finally DroppingTwo of the most sought-after medications, Wegovy and Zepbound, currently cost more than $1,000 a month at list price. The high cost has made them unaffordable for many Americans, especially those without insurance or whose plans do not cover the drugs. A survey by the health policy group KFF in May 2024 found that about half of adults taking these medications find it difficult to manage the expense.However, that may soon change. The Trump administration is expected to unveil a new deal with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk that would cut the monthly price of certain weight loss drugs to under $150. The official announcement is set for November 6, marking a major step toward making these treatments more accessible.What Price Cap Did Trump Negotiate for Weight Loss Drugs?According to reports from Endpoints News and The Wall Street Journal, the agreement would set the lowest dose of Lilly’s and Novo’s weight loss drugs at $149 per month. In exchange, the companies would gain Medicare coverage for their products—a milestone for obesity treatments, which are not currently included under Medicare.Both Lilly’s Zepbound and Novo’s Wegovy have been immensely popular but remain out of reach for many due to high prices and inconsistent insurance coverage.TrumpRx to Offer Discounted Weight Loss Drugs?Separately, The Wall Street Journal also noted that the administration is working on an additional deal with both drugmakers to sell select obesity medications directly through the upcoming TrumpRx platform, a government-run consumer site expected to launch in 2026. This would follow previous arrangements where other discounted drugs were offered through federal programs.President Trump has consistently pushed for most favored nation pricing, a policy aimed at ensuring Americans pay no more than citizens of other advanced economies. On September 30, he announced such a deal with Pfizer, reducing Medicaid drug costs.In another move, he recently confirmed that EMD Serono, the country’s largest fertility drug maker, had agreed to lower the price of a common IVF medication, continuing his administration’s push to reduce the cost of essential treatments.Insurance Coverage Still UnevenAlthough many insurance plans cover GLP-1 drugs when prescribed for diabetes or heart disease, more than half of employer-based plans still do not extend coverage to obesity-related prescriptions.In 2024, about 44% of large employers offered coverage for GLP-1 drugs used for weight loss, compared to 41% in 2023, according to data from Mercer, a benefits consulting firm.This potential price cut could therefore play a crucial role in bridging that gap—making effective weight loss medications accessible to a wider group of Americans.
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