White House Makes Big Announcement About Lowering Prices for Wegovy and Zepbound
President Donald J. Trump made a monumental announcement on November 6, 2025, in what is one of the biggest steps the federal government has ever taken to bring down the cost of prescription drugs. He recently announced new agreements with major drugmakers Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk that are designed to significantly reduce prices Americans pay for some of the most effective weight loss medications that are on the market today. These agreements talk about MFN pricing, which means “most favored nation,” and will bring the prices of GLP-1 medications in the U.S. more in line with what other countries have been paying.
According to the official White House fact sheet:
- The cost for Ozempic and Wegovy will drop from about $1,000 and $1,350 per month to around $350 per month when purchased through a newly formed program called TrumpRx;
- The monthly cost for Zepbound will drop from about $1,086 to around $346 a month through the TrumpRx program;
- An oral version of tirzepatide is expected to become available soon, and the starter dose will cost $150 per month through TrumpRX;
- Medicare and Medicaid will cover Wegovy and Zepbound for adults with obesity who have weight-related conditions. The monthly cost for Medicare will be $245, which is less than half the price that was previously proposed, and the insured will only pay a $50 co-pay each month. State Medicaid programs will also be eligible for these lower prices;
- Also, included in these agreements, both drug manufacturers, Eli Lilly and Company and Novo Nordisk, guarantee that every new drug brought to market will follow the new MFN pricing, they will bring back to the U.S. some of the extra money they earn from selling their products overseas, and state Medicaid programs will receive access to the MFN drug prices. Both companies also made commitments to invest billions in new U.S. manufacturing.
The bottom line is that the United States has called out some of the biggest drug manufacturers and put an end to them charging much higher prices to Americans than to many other countries.
Why Are GLP-1 Drugs More Expensive in the U.S.?
Currently in the U.S., the list price for Wegovy for one month at the maintenance dose is about $1,349, but in Germany, the same exact medication at the same dose is about $328 a month, and people in the Netherlands are only paying $296.
You are probably asking yourself, “Why are Americans paying so much more for GLP-1 medications?” This is a good question and something that this new White House initiative is attempting to correct. The main reason is that in the United States, we have fewer controls or caps on drug pricing, but in other countries, the government sets rules that limit what the drug companies can charge. The system in the U.S. is more fragmented, and we have many different insurers, so we do not have as much bargaining power as countries like Europe, Canada, Japan, etc., that operate like large buyers. Also, the U.S. patent laws and the absence of generics create monopolies that allow the drug manufacturers to keep the prices high, and because the rest of the world demands lower pricing, the manufacturers are recouping their costs for research and development, marketing, and regulatory costs by charging Americans more for the same drug.
The Agreements Include Many Other Drugs
Lower drug pricing will not only apply to GLP-1 medications, but many other commonly used drugs will be included. President Trump sent letters to major drug manufacturers in late July 2025, explaining what needs to be done to bring prescription drug prices in the U.S. down to match the lowest prices offered in other developed countries. Since late September, he has announced five major deals with leading pharmaceutical companies that are meant to bring American drug costs more in alignment with the costs paid elsewhere. These agreements are expected to bring substantial financial relief to millions of Americans who depend on these medications every day.
When Will These Lower Prices Take Effect?
The TrumpRx program is expected to begin rolling out in early 2026, and the website is expected to launch in January 2026, with GLP-1 medications being some of the first to be available to consumers. Additional medications will be added as the year goes on, with the new lower prices being introduced in phases. Individuals on Medicare are expected to be able to obtain lower pricing on their prescriptions by the middle of 2026, and access through Medicaid will depend on which states decide to join the program.
Where Can I Find Out More About GLP-1 Weight Loss Drugs?
Dr. Angelina Postoev can help you with prescription weight loss medication at IBI Plastic Surgery & Med Spa or through a personalized program at MySlimMed. She is a triple board-certified surgeon with over 20 years of experience in helping individuals lose weight, improve their health, and helping them look and feel their best.
Although the details of how this will all work are still unclear, we do understand that this MFN pricing announcement is huge and will allow more people to have access to GLP-1 medications and get the help they need and deserve.
Set up a consultation today with Dr. Angelina and learn more about how you can lose weight with medical intervention. She and her team can create a customized plan that is tailored to meet your exact circumstances and help you successfully reach and maintain a healthy weight.
