Is it about to get cheaper to lose weight? The White House revealed a new deal to lower the price of certain obesity drugs to as little as $149 per month. Here is a closer look at what drugs are covered and when you can expect the lower prices to kick in.

Obesity Drug Prices Set to Drop Significantly

Two deals announced on Thursday by the Trump administration promise to make obesity drugs more affordable. The deal was struck between the government and pharmaceutical companies Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly. The drugmakers have agreed to price-match the lowest paid costs among peer nations, bringing the cost down to as little as $149 per month. In addition, Medicaid will also offer the drugs to certain populations.

The two industry giants will receive breaks on tariffs on their imported products in exchange for the lower prices. They will also enjoy a faster regulatory review for some of their medications. The prices that consumers pay will vary greatly based on coverage and how they purchase the product. Current list prices for these drugs range between $1,000 and $1,350 for a month's supply.

As part of the new deal, consumers will purchase the injectable GLP-1 medications directly from the drug companies. The initial price will average about $350 per month, with the drugmakers committing to lowering the prices to approximately $250 over the next two years. Oral GLP-1 tablets that are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will cost $149.

The deal to provide the lower prices is part of the Trump administration's overall program to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. Known as TrumpRx, the program is set to launch at the beginning of the year. Dr. Mehmet Oz, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ administrator, said that Americans will be able to view the new costs before the end of December.

Novo Nordisk already offers a direct-to-consumer option for patients paying cash for Ozempic and Wegovy, coming in at a reduced cost of $499 a month. Similarly, Eli Lilly also offers cash-pay options for its drug Zepbound starting at $349 a month.

Eligible Medicare patients will be charged a $50 copay for the GLP-1 medications that are approved for both obesity and diabetes. These reduced prices are set to take effect in mid-2026. The Trump administration also said that it was widening access to some of these drugs for Medicare enrollees. Medicare recipients who are clinically overweight and have pre-diabetes will be eligible for the coverage. Enrollees who have had a stroke, diabetes, uncontrolled blood pressure, or are obese will also be eligible. Officials said that these parameters would make approximately 10% of Medicare recipients eligible for the expanded access.

Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have agreed to provide the GLP-1 medications at reduced prices to state Medicaid programs. The timing of this will depend on individual negotiations between the government and each state.

The Trump administration said that the deals were designed to help make Americans healthier by assisting weight loss efforts, combined with lifestyle changes. The goal is to reduce the incidence of chronic disease. U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said that it is "a tool in the toolkit....but not a silver bullet."

Understanding Most Favored Pricing

Trump has been committed to instituting a controversial initiative known as "Most Favored Nation" pricing. The president is focused on persuading pharmaceutical companies to lower their prices in exchange for a variety of incentives. The program's critics say that the program could disrupt the global drug market, limit patient access on an international scale, and suppress innovation in the pharmaceutical industry. Critics also allege that the program could lead to drug shortages and rationing in the nations that are not favored.

The new initiatives announced on Thursday are part of the overall goal of the Trump administration to reduce the cost of medication across the board by working directly with the drugmakers. For example, under the new deal, patients refilling the multi-dose pens through Eli Lilly's LillyDirect program will not pay over $449.

Eli Lilly is still waiting for FDA approval for its weight loss tablet. This will reportedly be priced at $149 for the lowest dosage available. Eli Lilly also said that Medicare recipients will see the Zepbound multi-dose pen and the obesity pill capped at $50 per month beginning as early as April 1. This assumes that both medications are approved by the FDA.

Similarly, Novo Nordisk will price its Wegovy pill at $149, should it be approved as expected. The company said that it will also reduce the costs of its injectable medications for Medicare, Medicaid, and direct-to-consumer patients.

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