Trump Suggests Potential $150 Monthly Cost for Weight-Loss Drugs, Stocks Dip
President Donald Trump yesterday indicated his administration may be able to lower the cost of popular weight-loss medications, like Ozempic and Wegovy, to approximately $150 per month, sending shockwaves through the pharmaceutical market.
The suggestion came during a White House press conference focused on in vitro fertilization, where Trump referenced price discrepancies between the United States and other countries. “In London, you’d buy a certain drug for $130 … and in New York, you pay $1,300 for the same thing,” he stated. “So now we’re going to be paying, instead of $1,300, you’ll be paying about $150.” When pressed if he was referring to weight-loss drugs, Trump confirmed he was speaking about “Ozempic, or the fat-loss drug … they’ll be much lower.” This potential price reduction could significantly expand access to these medications, currently a barrier for many due to high costs.
Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Administrator, immediately followed Trump’s remarks with a clarification, stating, “We have not negotiated those yet. We’re going to be rolling these out over time.” The announcement prompted a significant drop in stock prices for Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, manufacturers of GLP-1 drugs, with combined market value losses reaching tens of billions of dollars. Analysts at BMO Capital Markets described Trump’s comments as “aggressive posturing amidst negotiations.” Novo Nordisk acknowledged ongoing discussions with the administration regarding drug pricing under the Most Favored Nation executive order, while Eli Lilly stated they were “not aware of any specific price commitments” but are engaged in talks to improve affordability and access. You can learn more about the comparative drug pricing in the US versus other nations from the Kaiser Family Foundation.
The Trump administration has previously secured agreements with Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and EMD Serono under the Most Favored Nation framework, offering medicines at reduced prices to Medicaid and through a direct-to-consumer platform called TrumpRx. Janet McCaskill, a North Carolina grandmother who has lost 100 pounds with the help of GLP-1 medicines, expressed hope, stating, “The thought of it going to $150 a month is dramatic… That is most fantastic – if it comes to pass.” Further details regarding the potential pricing changes are expected as negotiations continue; for more information on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, visit their website.
