In a sweeping move aimed at reshaping access to weight-loss medications in the U.S., President Donald Trump announced a deal with pharma giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. The agreement aims to dramatically cut prices for powerhouse drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound. The decision marks one of the administration’s biggest pushes yet on prescription affordability.
Standing alongside pharmaceutical executives, Trump praised the companies for offering what he called “drastic discounts,” noting that the partnership would deliver relief to millions struggling with obesity, as per a report by WJLA and NBC News.
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The deal centers on the TrumpRx program, the government’s cash-pay discount platform, where Wegovy and Zepbound will be offered at Most Favored Nation pricing. According to Trump, "Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are committing to offer Zepbound and Wegovy at Most Favored Nation rates for American patients. This will slash the cost of Wegovy from $1,350 a month to ultimately $250 a month," Trump said. "And reduce the monthly cost of Zepbound from $1,080 to $346."
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"Lilly and Novo Nordisk are joining the phenomenal list of the most exciting announcements," Trump said. "These are two companies behind the groundbreaking weight loss drugs that have helped millions of Americans struggling with obesity," as quoted in a report by WJLA.
The deal, which Trump framed as a landmark victory on prescription affordability, would allow some Americans to access the GLP-1 drugs for as low as $149 per month through TrumpRx.
Senior officials later disclosed that depending on dosage and insurance, patients may pay anywhere from around $50 to roughly $350 a month. For GLP-1 pill formulations, once approved, starting doses are expected to cost $149, as per a report by NBC News.
The Trump administration expects direct-to-consumer pricing to launch on TrumpRx by the end of the year.
After Gordon Findlay, a Novo Nordisk healthcare executive, fainted, the announcement came to an abrupt halt. When Trump, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. brought attention to Findlay, the media left the room, as quoted in a report by WJLA.
Alongside commercial discounts, Trump said Medicare and Medicaid “will finally cover the cost of the weight loss drugs for millions of patients suffering from obesity.”
Current law bars Medicare from covering weight-loss drugs alone, though Medicare and Medicaid already cover GLP-1s for diabetes and certain medical conditions. Under the agreement, the drugmakers voluntarily committed to reducing the government’s price on approved GLP-1 prescriptions to $245 a month across all non-starting doses. Medicare patients would pay no more than a $50 copay, and Medicaid patients typically pay none, as per a report by NBC News.
The Biden administration had previously pushed a similar coverage expansion, though the Trump White House later rejected it. This new approach relies on voluntary pricing rather than the formal Medicare price-negotiation process under the Inflation Reduction Act.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt celebrated the move, posting, “Promise Made. Promise Kept. President Trump is lowering drug costs for the American people.”
For patients paying cash, the TrumpRx platform is expected to widen access to weight-loss drugs, particularly as retailers like Costco and Walmart have recently begun selling lower-priced versions. But there remain questions on eligibility, access, and insurance coverage limits. Experts caution it is not yet clear who will benefit immediately, noting Medicare rules and financial barriers still exist for many Americans, as per a report by NBC News.
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Stacie Dusetzina, a Vanderbilt health policy professor, said, “It’s not totally clear to me how expansive this is,” adding that even $250–$350 a month remains steep for many. However, she noted, “The good news is that people who want to use these medications and have the money can access them through direct-to-consumer avenues.”
As part of the agreement, both companies will expand U.S. production. Eli Lilly plans to invest $27 billion, while Novo Nordisk will invest $10 billion to boost domestic manufacturing capacity, a move expected to ease supply strains and ramp up availability of GLP-1 treatments nationwide, as per a report by NBC News.
The administration also reached related deals with Pfizer and AstraZeneca to lower Medicaid drug costs, signaling a broader campaign to reshape pharmaceutical pricing.
With GLP-1 medications still in high demand, the TrumpRx initiative could reshape how Americans access leading weight-loss drugs, and set the tone for future prescription cost reforms. For now, patients, insurers, and policy experts alike are watching closely as Trump pushes this healthcare milestone forward.
Under the TrumpRx plan, prices could drop to around $150–$350 a month depending on dose and insurance.
When will discounts begin?
The TrumpRx platform is expected to launch by year’s end, with Medicare changes set for next year.
Standing alongside pharmaceutical executives, Trump praised the companies for offering what he called “drastic discounts,” noting that the partnership would deliver relief to millions struggling with obesity, as per a report by WJLA and NBC News.
ALSO READ: What does 67 mean, who made the 67 meme and why is it so popular?
What did Donald Trump announce today?
The deal centers on the TrumpRx program, the government’s cash-pay discount platform, where Wegovy and Zepbound will be offered at Most Favored Nation pricing. According to Trump, "Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are committing to offer Zepbound and Wegovy at Most Favored Nation rates for American patients. This will slash the cost of Wegovy from $1,350 a month to ultimately $250 a month," Trump said. "And reduce the monthly cost of Zepbound from $1,080 to $346."
ALSO READ: Sorry, Zohran — here’s why Mamdani can’t legally run for President of the United States
"Lilly and Novo Nordisk are joining the phenomenal list of the most exciting announcements," Trump said. "These are two companies behind the groundbreaking weight loss drugs that have helped millions of Americans struggling with obesity," as quoted in a report by WJLA.
The deal, which Trump framed as a landmark victory on prescription affordability, would allow some Americans to access the GLP-1 drugs for as low as $149 per month through TrumpRx.
Senior officials later disclosed that depending on dosage and insurance, patients may pay anywhere from around $50 to roughly $350 a month. For GLP-1 pill formulations, once approved, starting doses are expected to cost $149, as per a report by NBC News.
The Trump administration expects direct-to-consumer pricing to launch on TrumpRx by the end of the year.
After Gordon Findlay, a Novo Nordisk healthcare executive, fainted, the announcement came to an abrupt halt. When Trump, Dr. Mehmet Oz, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. brought attention to Findlay, the media left the room, as quoted in a report by WJLA.
How will drug pricing and coverage change?
Alongside commercial discounts, Trump said Medicare and Medicaid “will finally cover the cost of the weight loss drugs for millions of patients suffering from obesity.”
Current law bars Medicare from covering weight-loss drugs alone, though Medicare and Medicaid already cover GLP-1s for diabetes and certain medical conditions. Under the agreement, the drugmakers voluntarily committed to reducing the government’s price on approved GLP-1 prescriptions to $245 a month across all non-starting doses. Medicare patients would pay no more than a $50 copay, and Medicaid patients typically pay none, as per a report by NBC News.
The Biden administration had previously pushed a similar coverage expansion, though the Trump White House later rejected it. This new approach relies on voluntary pricing rather than the formal Medicare price-negotiation process under the Inflation Reduction Act.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt celebrated the move, posting, “Promise Made. Promise Kept. President Trump is lowering drug costs for the American people.”
Who benefits from the TrumpRx deal?
For patients paying cash, the TrumpRx platform is expected to widen access to weight-loss drugs, particularly as retailers like Costco and Walmart have recently begun selling lower-priced versions. But there remain questions on eligibility, access, and insurance coverage limits. Experts caution it is not yet clear who will benefit immediately, noting Medicare rules and financial barriers still exist for many Americans, as per a report by NBC News.
ALSO READ: Mass layoffs hit Amazon, UPS and Target, but the real reason has nothing to do with AI
Stacie Dusetzina, a Vanderbilt health policy professor, said, “It’s not totally clear to me how expansive this is,” adding that even $250–$350 a month remains steep for many. However, she noted, “The good news is that people who want to use these medications and have the money can access them through direct-to-consumer avenues.”
What investments are Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk making in the U.S.?
As part of the agreement, both companies will expand U.S. production. Eli Lilly plans to invest $27 billion, while Novo Nordisk will invest $10 billion to boost domestic manufacturing capacity, a move expected to ease supply strains and ramp up availability of GLP-1 treatments nationwide, as per a report by NBC News.
The administration also reached related deals with Pfizer and AstraZeneca to lower Medicaid drug costs, signaling a broader campaign to reshape pharmaceutical pricing.
With GLP-1 medications still in high demand, the TrumpRx initiative could reshape how Americans access leading weight-loss drugs, and set the tone for future prescription cost reforms. For now, patients, insurers, and policy experts alike are watching closely as Trump pushes this healthcare milestone forward.
FAQs
How much will Wegovy and Zepbound cost?Under the TrumpRx plan, prices could drop to around $150–$350 a month depending on dose and insurance.
When will discounts begin?
The TrumpRx platform is expected to launch by year’s end, with Medicare changes set for next year.
