**Trump Administration Announces Deal to Expand Access and Lower Prices for Popular Obesity Drugs**

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump unveiled a groundbreaking deal Thursday with pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to expand coverage and reduce prices for two of the most popular obesity treatments: Zepbound and Wegovy. These medications, classified as GLP-1 receptor agonists, have seen a surge in popularity in recent years. However, many patients have struggled with limited access due to their cost—which can reach about $500 a month for higher doses—and inconsistent insurance coverage.

More than 100 million American adults have obesity, according to federal estimates. In a move to address this growing health concern, the administration announced that Medicare will begin covering these drugs for obesity next year. Some lower prices will also be phased in for patients without coverage. Additionally, if approved, starting doses of new, pill versions of these treatments will cost $149 a month.

“This will save lives and improve the health of millions and millions of Americans,” President Trump said during an Oval Office announcement, referring to GLP-1s as a “fat drug.”

Thursday’s announcement is the latest in a series of initiatives by the Trump administration aimed at curbing rising drug prices and addressing cost-of-living concerns among voters. In May, an executive order pressured drugmakers to lower prices for Medicaid or face new limits on government reimbursements, resulting in recent agreements with Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

Despite these efforts, it remains unclear exactly how much consumers will benefit from the price reductions; drug prices can vary based on competition and insurance coverage. The obesity medications work by targeting hormones in the gut and brain that regulate appetite and feelings of fullness. Clinical trials show that they can help people lose between 15% and 22% of their body weight—up to 50 pounds or more in many cases. Patients typically start on smaller doses and gradually increase over time, with experts noting that ongoing use is necessary to maintain weight loss.

Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have seen enormous financial success with these products. Lilly recently reported that sales of Zepbound have tripled this year, reaching more than $9 billion. Still, for many Americans, the cost has been prohibitive.

Currently, Medicare, the federally funded insurance program for those 65 and older, only covers these drugs for conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, not specifically for weight loss. President Joe Biden previously proposed a rule to expand coverage for obesity treatment, but the Trump administration decided against it. Few state and federally funded Medicaid programs cover obesity drugs, and many employers and private insurers are cautious about offering coverage given the potentially high demand.

The $500 monthly cost for higher doses makes these treatments unaffordable for uninsured patients. “Trump is the friend of the forgotten American,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. at Thursday’s event. “Obesity is a disease of poverty, and overwhelmingly these drugs have only been available for people who have wealth.” (In fact, obesity rates are slightly higher among middle-income Americans than among those with the lowest and highest incomes, according to 2017-2020 CDC data.)

Kennedy, who had previously expressed skepticism about GLP-1 medications, praised the president’s initiative to broaden access to these drugs.

The administration’s new TrumpRx program aims to further improve affordability. Starting in January, individuals will be able to purchase medications directly from manufacturers. Officials said prices on TrumpRx will initially start at approximately $350 per month and drop to $245 over the next two years.

A Novo Nordisk spokesperson declined to provide details on their future pricing. Lilly announced it will sell starter doses of Zepbound for $299 a month and additional doses for up to $449—both reflecting $50 reductions from current direct-to-patient prices. Lower prices will also be provided for Medicaid programs across the country.

If approved, new pill versions of the obesity drugs will cost $149 a month for starting doses, and U.S. health regulators indicated they will expedite reviews for these versions.

The Trump administration’s latest action represents a significant step toward making groundbreaking obesity treatments more widely available and financially accessible for millions of Americans.
https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/11/06/trimming-costs-trump-touts-deal-to-lower-costs-on-fat-drug-add-medicare-coverage/