Donald Trump announced a new federal plan on Thursday aimed at reducing the cost of popular weight-loss drugs and expanding access for patients under public health programs.
Under the initiative, oral versions of GLP-1 medications—expected to receive approval in the coming months—will be priced at $150 per month for introductory doses. Injectable versions, including Eli Lilly’s and Novo Nordisk’s treatments, will also see price cuts and be available through TrumpRx, a government-backed website that allows consumers to buy directly from manufacturers.
The average cost of injectable GLP-1 drugs will drop to around $350 a month initially, with the price expected to decline further to $245 within two years. Medicare recipients will pay a co-pay of just $50 per month, and state Medicaid programs can opt into the same pricing structure. These reductions apply to popular drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound.
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. projected the initiative could help Americans collectively lose over 125 million pounds in a year, citing major benefits to public health. Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, said the expanded coverage would be cost-neutral within two years due to reduced spending on obesity-related illnesses.
The move is part of Trump’s broader “most-favored-nation” policy, which aims to align U.S. drug prices with international standards and lower the cost of essential medications nationwide.