Combating Obesity: Trump’s Pharmaceutical Agreement Cuts Costs for Millions

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Combating Obesity: Trump’s Pharmaceutical Agreement Cuts Costs for Millions

Bitget-RWA2025/11/06 23:50

By:Bitget-RWA

- Trump administration secures $350-$149/month price cuts for GLP-1 drugs via TrumpRx.gov, expanding Medicare/Medicaid coverage to 40% of obese Americans. - Lilly and Novo Nordisk commit to aligning U.S. pricing with global benchmarks under MFN framework, part of broader cost-control measures including FDA incentives. - Policy faces $35B annual deficit risks from high demand, while pharma firms gain tariff certainty and access to 60M+ beneficiaries previously excluded. - Market reacts cautiously as Novo sh

President Donald Trump has announced a major deal with leading pharmaceutical companies

Eli Lilly

and

Novo Nordisk

to significantly lower the prices of widely used diabetes and weight-loss medications, signaling a major change in Medicare and Medicaid drug coverage. The agreement, revealed on November 6, will bring down the monthly cost of GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy to $350 and $149, respectively, for those paying out of pocket and for beneficiaries using the upcoming TrumpRx.gov platform, which is scheduled to go live in January 2026, according to

Fortune

. Individuals covered by Medicare and Medicaid will also be able to obtain these drugs for $245 per month, with a $50 co-payment for beneficiaries, as

Yahoo Finance

noted. This initiative will extend access to millions across the country, especially older adults and those with lower incomes, since Medicare had previously not included weight-loss medications in its list of covered drugs, according to

Axios

The administration highlighted that the deal requires

Lilly

and Novo Nordisk to match U.S. drug prices with those in other countries, following the Most Favored Nation (MFN) pricing model, as reported by

Investors Business Daily

. This move is part of Trump’s larger plan to lower drug costs, which also includes possible heavy tariffs on pharmaceutical companies and offering expedited FDA review vouchers for innovative treatments, according to

Morningstar

. The price reductions—reaching up to 74% for those paying cash—come after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently indicated a willingness to include weight-loss drugs in Part D plans, provided they are used for approved medical conditions like diabetes or to reduce cardiovascular risks, as Fortune reported.

The financial impact of this policy is considerable. While the administration has pointed to patient savings, some critics caution that the broader coverage could add $35 billion per year to the national deficit due to the high demand for GLP-1 drugs, Fortune reported. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz mentioned ongoing talks in October, highlighting the challenge of keeping treatments affordable while maintaining fiscal responsibility. At the same time, pharmaceutical firms gained certain assurances, such as stable tariffs and broader access for patients with obesity—a group that Medicare had previously not covered, according to Morningstar.

The agreements also cover additional medications beyond GLP-1 drugs. Lilly’s Zepbound and Novo’s oral Wegovy will be available for $346 and $150 per month, respectively, and insulin products will be priced at $35 per month through TrumpRx, as reported by Investors Business Daily. The companies are also investing further in U.S. manufacturing, with Lilly committing $27 billion and Novo $10 billion, according to Yahoo Finance. The market response was mixed: Novo Nordisk’s stock dropped by 3.5%, while Lilly’s saw a slight decline, reflecting investor uncertainty amid increased regulatory scrutiny, Investors Business Daily reported.

This policy change addresses a significant public health issue, as the CDC reports that 40% of American adults are obese, according to Investors Business Daily. By including weight-loss medications in Medicare, the Trump administration seeks to tackle chronic illnesses associated with obesity, such as diabetes and heart disease, while also working to lower prescription costs. However, the long-term effectiveness of this approach will depend on controlling Medicare expenses and ensuring all eligible patients have fair access, Axios reported.

Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.

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