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US President Donald Trump has announced a deal with pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to expand coverage and reduce prices of popular obesity drugs, Zepbound and Wegovi. According to AFP, these weight-loss drugs are commonly used to manage type 2 diabetes, and they currently cost more than $500 without insurance. Starting in 2026, Medicare will cover these drugs, and new, lower-cost pill versions could cost as little as $149 per month.
“This agreement represents a historic reduction in the prices of two of the highest-cost prescription drugs in the United States for Americans who help adults with diabetes, heart disease (Ozempic and Vegovi only), obesity and other conditions,” the White House statement said.
Lower prices for weight loss medications will be available through TrumpRx, a program designed to help uninsured individuals purchase medications directly from manufacturers at lower prices.
At a White House event, Trump described the agreement as a means to save money and introduced a new pricing plan to help more people access essential medicines:
- Starting in 2026, the initial dose of some pills will cost as little as $149, and the price of existing injectable treatments is expected to drop to about $350 per month.
- For Medicare patients who qualify, co-payments will be limited to $50, and Medicaid users will likely pay little or nothing.
- For many Americans, the high cost of weight loss drugs like Wegovi and Zepbound is a barrier to managing their weight and staying healthy.
- Without insurance, a month’s supply of these medications can cost between $500 and $650.
Why does it matter?
Obesity medications are becoming more popular in the US, where an estimated 40 percent of American adults are battling obesity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that weight loss medications can help people lose 15% to 22% of their body weight, resulting in a weight loss of 50 pounds or more.
Obesity medicine expert Dr. Leslie Golden told The New York Times that about 75% of her patients struggle to afford their medications. Many of them have to take additional jobs or delay retirement to cover the cost of treatment. “Each visit includes a discussion about how long we can continue this,” Dr. Golden said, highlighting a serious issue for many people trying to effectively manage their weight.
Research published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine shows that about half of the people given these drugs stop taking them within a year, and many of them regain the weight they lost after stopping.
Is there an age limit for Medicare?
Medicare primarily serves people age 65 and older. Recently, it has started covering certain drugs for conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Nevertheless, it does not include weight loss treatments. Previous administrations, including President Joe Biden, have tried to expand this coverage, but the Trump administration has rolled back some of these efforts. As a result, many Americans who rely on Medicaid have few affordable options for weight loss medications.
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. called obesity a “disease of poverty” and noted that only the wealthy generally could afford medicine for obesity. This creates unfair treatment gaps in health care.
Will Medicare cover obesity drugs in 2026?
Starting next year, Medicare will expand coverage to people who are severely obese and those who are overweight with serious health problems. Eligible patients will only have to pay a co-pay of $50, which is less than their current payment.
,Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions you have about a medical condition.)
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