Trump unveils deals to lower US weight loss drug prices

US President Donald Trump has announced deals that seek to lower the cost of extreme weight loss, while Pharmautical prices take center stage in his administration’s messaging.

Speaking to drug executives in the White House, Trump’s involvement with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk has not been successful. Consumers are set to pay between $245 and $350 per month for prescription drugs including Weggovy and Zepbound.

Many GLP-1 drugs, used to treat diabetes and obesity, cost $1,000 a month without insurance or discounts.

The deal will expand Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk’s Access to Medicare and Medicaid, the Government’s Public Healthcare for elderly and low-income Americans.

Eli Lilly also said in a statement that it will avoid tariffs for three years as part of the agreement with the Trump administration.

Approximately 10% of Medicare beneficiaries will qualify for expanded access to GLP-1 drugs, and will only pay $50, according to senior administration officials.

Those enrolled in Medicaid will see a different start date based on when states sign up to participate, officials said.

Trump has long pushed for “most-favored-nation” prices — a policy aimed at aligning drug prices in the U.S. with those in other countries.

Prescription drugs will be sold at discounted prices directly on the launch of Trumprx, a government-run website that will be launched in January.

At Trumprx, Weepbound and Zegbound will start at $350 per month on average, and drop to $250 over two years, administration officials said. The Medicare price of Ozemphic, Wegegy, Mounjaro and Zepbound will be $245.

Along with Novo Nordisk’s Wegegy, Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug, Orforglipron, will sell for $149 for the lowest dose, Eli Lilly said in a statement. The Company’s Zepbound drug costs $299 for a starting dose.

Those prices are dependent on food approval and drug administration approval of the pills.

“Lilly is in a unique position to work with the US government to transform the global system, expand access and lower costs for Americans,” said David Lilly’s CEO.

GLP-1 drugs are often not covered by private insurance. Federal law prohibits Medicare from covering drugs when used for weight loss, although they are usually covered when used to treat diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Only 13 states provide coverage under Medicaid for weight loss purposes.

Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, speaking at the White House, said the deals were products of months of negotiations with Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. He called obesity “the number one driver of chronic disease” in the US.

“It’s a lifesaver for them,” Kennedy said.

“It’s not a panacea, it’s not a silver bullet,” he added, stressing the importance of dietary changes and physical exercise.

Since July, Trump has pressured Pharmaceutical Firms to lower drug prices. He sent letters to 17 drug companies over the summer, giving them 60 days to respond to his demands for lower prices.

Pfizer is the first major drug maker to reach a deal with Trump, slashing prices for some drugs by up to 85% on the Trumprx site. Pfizer also agreed to lower prescription drug prices for Medicaid.

Astrazeneca and EMD Serono have also reached administration deals in recent weeks.