Trump Suggests Potential $150 Monthly Price for Weight-Loss Drugs, Sparking Market Reaction
Former President Donald Trump yesterday indicated he may be able to lower the cost of popular weight-loss medications to $150 per month, a statement that sent shockwaves through the pharmaceutical industry and offered hope to patients struggling with affordability.
Trump made the comments during an Oval Office press conference focused on in vitro fertilization, before being gently corrected by Dr. Mehmet Oz, Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “In London, you’d buy a certain drug for $130 … and in New York, you pay $1,300 for the same thing,” Trump stated. “So now we’re going to be paying, instead of $1,300, you’ll be paying about $150.” When asked specifically about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, Trump confirmed he was “referring to… the fat-loss drug… they’ll be much lower.” This announcement comes as access to these medications, which have shown significant results in weight management and related health improvements, remains limited by high costs.
Dr. Oz immediately clarified that no agreements were in place, stating, “We have not negotiated those yet. We’re going to be rolling these out over time.” Following the remarks, stocks of Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly, the manufacturers of these drugs, experienced significant declines, losing tens of billions of dollars in market value. 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.” The United States consistently pays significantly higher prices for prescription drugs than other developed nations; a 2023 analysis from Peterson-KFF found Ozempic is priced ten times higher in the US than in France. Learn more about international drug pricing comparisons.
The Trump administration has previously announced deals with other pharmaceutical companies under the Most Favored Nation framework, offering medicines at reduced prices to Medicaid and through a new platform called TrumpRx. Patients currently pay anywhere from $25 to $500+ per month for these medications, depending on insurance coverage and access to discount programs. Janet McCaskill, a North Carolina grandmother who has lost 100 pounds with the help of GLP-1 medicines, expressed optimism, saying, “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. Read our explainer on GLP-1 medications.
