The Trump administration has announced a landmark agreement with pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to significantly reduce prices and broaden coverage for GLP-1 medications—including popular drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro—in a move hailed by the White House as a historic step towards lowering drug costs for Americans. This initiative comes as part of the administration’s “Most-Favored-Nation” (MFN) policy, designed to ensure U.S. patients don’t pay more than those in other developed countries for the same medications.
How the New Pricing Works
The cornerstone of this plan is a new federal website, TrumpRx.gov, which will serve as a marketplace where individuals can find discounted prices. Here’s a breakdown of the anticipated changes:
- Reduced Cash Prices: Monthly cash-pay prices will drop substantially through the portal.
- Ozempic and Wegovy self-inject pens will see prices fall from $1,000 and $1,350 to $350, respectively.
- The out-of-pocket price for Zepbound self-inject pens will decrease from $1,086 to an average of $346 per month.
- Future GLP-1 Pills: If the FDA approves the Wegovy pill (or similar medications in development), the initial dose will be priced at $150 per month.
Expanded Access for Medicare Patients
A significant component of this agreement centers on expanded Medicare coverage. Beginning in mid-2026, Medicare will cover GLP-1 medications for obesity, impacting roughly 6.6 million beneficiaries (approximately 10% of the total) who meet specific weight and health criteria. To qualify, individuals must:
- Be overweight (BMI greater than 27) with prediabetes or heart disease
- Have obesity (BMI greater than 30) and uncontrolled high blood pressure, kidney disease, or heart failure
- Have severe obesity (BMI greater than 35)
Eligible beneficiaries will pay a monthly copay of $50. State Medicaid programs will also gain access to these discounted rates.
Introducing TrumpRx: The Direct-to-Consumer Website
TrumpRx.gov will act as a digital hub, connecting consumers to discounted medications. The website, which will launch in early 2026, won’t directly sell or distribute drugs. Instead, users will be able to search for medications and be redirected to the drug manufacturers’ direct-to-consumer channels. While TrumpRx will be a new option, individuals who prefer to purchase directly can continue utilizing Lilly’s LillyDirect platform, which already offers discounted prices for Zepbound.
What the News Means: Impact and Expert Perspectives
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. projects a dramatic impact on public health, estimating Americans could lose a collective 125 million pounds within a year. While the announcements have generated enthusiasm, some experts express cautious optimism. Yuval Pinto, MD, an obesity medicine specialist at Johns Hopkins Medicine, acknowledges the potential for expanded access but notes limitations regarding Medicaid coverage variations, restrictive eligibility criteria, and limited private insurance coverage.
“It is too early to know what the long-term implication of this plan will be for the treatment of obesity.”
The Trump administration’s deal marks a significant effort to address rising drug prices and expand access to vital weight management medications. However, the long-term effects and the plan’s ultimate success will depend on factors such as continued FDA approvals, the ongoing participation of manufacturers, and the varying interpretations of eligibility criteria across states and insurance plans.
Editorial Sources:
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Resources
Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Announces Major Developments in Bringing Most-Favored-Nation Pricing to American Patients. The White House. November 6, 2025.
Trump Announces Deals with Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk to Slash Weight Loss Drug Prices, Offer Some Medicare Coverage. CNBC. November 6, 2025.
Trump Announces ‘TrumpRx’ Site for Discounted Drugs and Deal with Pfizer to Lower Prices. CNN. September 30, 2025.
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