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White House Strikes Deal With Lilly and Novo to Cut GLP-1 Obesity Drug Costs, Expand Medicare Coverage

The voluntary agreement ties price reductions to new access pathways in federal programs to lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs.

Overview

  • Medicare will begin covering certain GLP-1 obesity medicines next year, with qualifying beneficiaries paying $50 monthly copays, according to the administration.
  • Direct-to-consumer discounts via the TrumpRx program will offer some injectable brands for as low as $350 per month, with sales set to start in January, per the White House.
  • If the FDA clears oral GLP-1 pills, the initial dose would launch at about $149–$150 per month under the terms outlined by officials.
  • Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk also agreed to provide lower prices to state Medicaid programs, though timing and specifics will depend on state negotiations.
  • Officials say the move responds to soaring demand and affordability concerns for GLP-1 drugs such as Zepbound and Wegovy, even as the ultimate savings for consumers remain uncertain.