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.

Trumprx: Cost of Weight Loss Drugs Is Finally Dropping

Two 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 Uneven

Although 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.

TrumpRx: US President Donald Trump had announced this week that his administration plans to roll out a new website, called TrumpRx, which will allow Americans to purchase prescription medications from pharmaceutical companies at discounted rates.

In a major step to address rising drug costs, the Trump administration also unveiled agreements with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to reduce prices for popular GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound. These deals, part of the TrumpRx initiative, are expected to make the drugs more affordable for Medicare, Medicaid, and direct consumers starting in 2026.

Trump Annoucement Today: What Is TrumpRx?

TrumpRx is an online platform designed to let consumers buy prescription medicines directly from the manufacturers, bypassing insurance intermediaries. The website is scheduled to launch in early 2026. Users will be able to search for the specific drug they need and be directed to the drug’s manufacturer, according to USA Today. The platform will offer prices closer to what national health services pay in other countries, following the principle of “most favoured nation” pricing. Medicaid beneficiaries—federal insurance for low-income adults and children—will also have access to the platform.

TrumpRx: Will The New Website Slash Prescription Drug Prices?

The website is part of a broader effort by Trump to curb high prescription drug costs in the US. In July, he sent a letter to the CEOs of 17 pharmaceutical companies demanding lower prices.

In the letter, he outlined several key points:

• Manufacturers must provide MFN (most favoured nation) prices to all Medicaid patients.
• Companies must ensure that new drugs are not sold at lower prices in other developed nations than in the US.
• Manufacturers will have an option to sell directly to patients, cutting out middlemen, but prices cannot exceed the lowest rates in other developed countries.
• Trade policies will be leveraged to support higher international pricing, with any additional revenue abroad reinvested to reduce costs for American consumers and taxpayers.

TrumpRx: Who Will Benefit Most From This Platform?

Anyone looking to buy prescription drugs directly from manufacturers, rather than through insurance, could benefit. A 2024 US Census Bureau report noted that 8% of Americans (about 26 million people) lacked health insurance in 2023, meaning they could significantly benefit from lower prices. Medicaid may also benefit, as its deal with Pfizer offers better pricing terms. Details about how this part of the program will work are not fully clear yet. Since most Americans rely on insurance for healthcare, experts believe initial adoption of the site may be limited.

TrumpRx: Trump Announces Deal With Drugmakers to Lower Cost of Weight-Loss Drugs

On Thursday, President Trump announced deals with Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly to cut costs for the lowest doses of their popular weight-loss drugs, lowering barriers for new patients seeking treatment. Beyond government programs, the same GLP-1 drugs will be available directly to consumers via TrumpRx.gov, launching in January 2026.

The starting doses of injectable Wegovy and Zepbound will cost $350 per month but are expected to trend down to $245 over two years. Oral versions, including Novo Nordisk’s upcoming semaglutide pill and Eli Lilly’s orforglipron, will start at $149 per month once approved.

Trumprx: President Donald Trump on Thursday unveiled agreements with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk aimed at cutting the prices of some of their obesity medications, including upcoming pills. The move is designed to make these expensive, blockbuster treatments more accessible to Americans.

Trump Announcement Today: GLP-1 Drugs to Become Affordable for Medicare and Medicaid Beneficiaries

The deals will reduce costs for GLP-1 drugs for Medicare and Medicaid recipients starting in 2026. The Trump administration also plans to sell the medications directly to consumers at a discount via a new website, TrumpRx.gov, launching in January. For the first time, Medicare will cover obesity treatments, which could encourage private insurers to follow suit. Certain Medicare patients will pay just $50 per month for all approved GLP-1 therapies, including those for diabetes and obesity, as per USA Today.

Trumprx: Wegovy, Zepbound, and Upcoming Pills Set for Price Cuts

Starting doses of upcoming obesity pills from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, pending approval, will cost $145 per month for those using Medicare, Medicaid, or TrumpRx. Novo Nordisk’s oral version of Wegovy may enter the market by year-end, while Eli Lilly’s pill, orforglipron, could launch next year. Existing injections, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, will be available at $350 per month on TrumpRx, trending down to $245 per month over two years, as per NBC News.

Trump highlighted that these drugs have rarely been covered by Medicaid and were previously not covered by Medicare for weight loss. “They’ve often cost consumers more than $1,000 per month… That ends starting today,” he said.

Trump Announcement: Most Favoured Nation Policy Expands Access

The announcements are part of the Trump administration’s ongoing push to tie U.S. drug prices to the lowest international costs under the most favored nation policy. Trump has previously reached similar deals with Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and EMD Serono.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said this move will have a “dramatic effect on human health,” noting that all Americans, including those not on Medicaid or Medicare, will benefit from lower GLP-1 drug prices.

Eligibility and Coverage Under Medicare

• Medicare coverage will prioritize three groups:
• Overweight patients (BMI >27) with prediabetes or cardiovascular disease.
• People with obesity (BMI >30) and uncontrolled hypertension, kidney disease, or heart failure.
• Individuals with severe obesity (BMI >35).

About 10% of Medicare beneficiaries are expected to qualify for GLP-1 therapy for obesity, cardiovascular, and metabolic benefits.

Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk Commit To Expanded Discounts

Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk also agreed to extend lower government pricing to all 50 Medicaid programs, provide most favored nation pricing on new medicines, and offer similar discounts on their existing drugs via TrumpRx.

Eli Lilly will additionally reduce prices on its direct-to-consumer platform, LillyDirect, where Zepbound will be available starting at $299 per month for the lowest dose. Eli Lilly’s upcoming pill will start at $149 per month.

Background on Obesity Drug Coverage

Previous efforts to cover obesity drugs under Medicare, including a proposal by former President Joe Biden, were not finalized due to costs and controversy. Health experts argue that broader access could reduce long-term expenses related to obesity-related conditions.

Semaglutide is also slated for Medicare price negotiations under the Inflation Reduction Act, while tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound, may not be part of such negotiations until the decade’s end.

Amid the discrepancy in Delhi AQI, where the official data on the Air Quality Index shows condition to be 'poor', while the ground reality shows a stark difference, with the AQI reported at 'severe' and even 'hazardous' levels, doctors have now pointed out that there is a 60% rise in patients with eye problems. All thanks to the toxic smog.

As per the IQ Air, at 7:22am, Delhi recorded 501 AQI, categorizing it under 'Hazardous', while, AQI.in recorded the AQI at 739. While there is contestation among the accurate AQI, several media outlets have reported on the discrepancies of AQI between the official data, and data from local or private outlets that measures the air quality.

However, what remains undeniable is the fact that doctors have noted a rise in patients with eye problems. As per the PTI report, ophthalmologists have said to see a 60% surge in cases with eye problems. They are blaming this to the "toxic cocktail of smoke, particulate matter, and chemical residues from firecracker burning".

The doctors confirmed that most cases now appear with patients who have allergies, dryness, burning sensation, and excessive watering in the eyes. The pollution is not only affecting children, but adults are equally impacted.

Dr Ikeda Lal, Senior Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery Specialist at Delhi Eye Centre and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital told PTI, "Every year after Diwali, we brace for a rise in eye complaints. The number of patients complaining of itching, redness, and irritation has gone up by almost 50-60 per cent."

How Does Pollution Impact Your Eyes?

A study from 2022 published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health notes for the adverse effects of air pollution on the eyes. Before understanding how air pollution impacts one's eye, it is important to understand what it consists of.

The Composition Of Air Pollution

Air pollution is a mix of complex gas-phase pollutants and particles that are disbursed into atmosphere, and are harmful.

The air pollution comprises of:

• Sulfur dioxide
• Nitrogen dioxide
• Carbon dioxide
• Nitrogen monoxide
• Carbon monoxide
• Nitrogen oxides
• Particulate matter 2.5 or PM2.5
• Particulate matter 10 or PM10

In addition to that, household pollution could also produce volatile organic compounds, for instance, formaldehyde could cause DNA damage in animal cells, and its carcinogenicity has been assessed by many studies too.

The Impact Of Pollutants On Eyes

Air pollution is known to cause cardiovascular disorders, respiratory tract problems, ocular disease, neurologic disease, cancer, and even death, notes the study.

In terms of its impact on the eyes, the pollutants usually work as irritants, which can cause inflammation and irritation on the eyes. The cornea is the most sensitive structure in the human body, reason being, its innervations in the ocular surface, which makes it extremely sensitive to environmental agents. The pollutants could thus cause conjunctivitis, which could become a frequent problem.

A 2003 study titled Impact of Environmental Pollution on the Eye, conducted by R Saxena, et.al., noted that people who travelled to highly polluted areas where the PM level was five times higher than the WHO recommended, suffered from extensive subclinical ocular surgace change.

Dr Aarti Nangia, who is the Prinipal Director of Ophthalmology at Max Hospitals, Dwarka, writes on the hospital website that air pollution could cause these following problems in the eyes:

• Conjunctivitis or Pink Eye: Eye becomes inflamed due to exposure to pollutants and leads to redness, itching, tearing, and even swelling of eyes
• Dry Eye Syndrome: Pollutants disrupt the tear film that keeps the eye lubricated and thus could cause dryness, irritation, and even blurred vision, and redness
• Pterygium (Surfer’s Eye): This happens due to a fleshy, wedge-shaped growth of tissue on the conjunctiva, which gets worse due to exposure to dust and pollution
• Eye Irritation and Redness: Airborne pollutants could lead to general eye irritation and cause discomfort in day-to-day life.