Novo Nordisk has announced further price cuts for its popular obesity drug Wegovy, bringing the monthly cost for higher doses down to $349 and offering a temporary $199 rate for initial doses. Rival Eli Lilly also plans reductions for Zepbound. Despite these cuts, medical experts and pricing specialists caution that the treatments remain prohibitively expensive for uninsured patients and those in states where government programs like Medicaid don't cover them, highlighting the ongoing challenge of affordability.
Novo Nordisk has once again reduced prices for its injectable obesity treatment, Wegovy. The drugmaker announced that higher doses are now available for $349 a month for patients paying the full bill, a decrease from $499. Additionally, a temporary offer of $199 a month is available for the first two months of low-dose Wegovy and its diabetes counterpart, Ozempic. These new prices are accessible nationwide through pharmacies, home delivery, and some telemedicine providers. Rival Eli Lilly also plans price reductions for its weight-loss drug Zepbound, with a starter dose at $299 a month and additional doses up to $449, representing $50 cuts from current direct-to-patient prices. These drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have gained significant popularity for their effectiveness in helping people lose 15% to 22% of their body weight. However, affordability remains a major hurdle. A KFF poll revealed that about half of patients find these treatments hard to afford. Experts like Stacie Dusetzina from Vanderbilt University Medical Center and Dr. Laura Davisson, an obesity specialist, emphasize that even with the new price cuts, the drugs will still be out of reach for many, particularly those without insurance or on Medicaid in states that don't cover the medication. Efforts are underway to expand coverage. The Trump administration announced a deal for Medicare, which will begin covering these treatments for severely obese individuals and those who are overweight or obese with serious health problems, with qualifying patients paying $50 copays. The lower prices negotiated for Medicare will also extend to Medicaid programs, potentially expanding access for around 40 million more Americans, according to Novo's executive vice president Dave Moore. Currently, Medicaid programs in 20 states cover the drug for obesity. Eli Lilly spokesperson Courtney Kasinger reiterated the company's commitment to improving coverage, advocating for obesity treatments to be covered like any other chronic condition. Both companies are also seeking approval for pill versions of their drugs, which would introduce new pricing structures.
