The Trump administration on Thursday unveiled a major pricing deal with drugmakers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly that will significantly lower the cost of blockbuster GLP-1 medications — the drugs behind the nation’s weight-loss and diabetes boom.
Under the new program, called TrumpRx, many Americans will see the monthly cost of drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound fall from over $1,000 a month to roughly $350, according to senior administration officials. That price is expected to drop to about $250 over the next two years for patients paying fully out-of-pocket.
Daily pill forms of the medications — which are still awaiting FDA approval — are expected to start around $150 for lower doses once cleared.
President Donald Trump announced the deal from the Oval Office, calling it “a triumph for American patients that will save lives and improve the health of millions.”
One of the biggest changes: Medicare will start covering GLP-1 drugs for people with severe obesity, defined as having a BMI over 35, at a $50 co-pay. This marks a dramatic shift — until now, Medicare would only cover GLP-1s for individuals who were both overweight and suffering from heart disease, and never for weight loss alone.
Medicare beneficiaries could see this new pricing as early as mid-2026. Medicaid availability will vary by state.
For years, patients and consumer advocates have criticized the sky-high U.S. cost of GLP-1 drugs, which can run more than 14 times what patients pay in parts of Europe. The White House says the new agreement is designed to expand access while easing the financial strain on government healthcare programs.
The announcement briefly paused when a pharmaceutical company representative fainted during the event. White House officials later confirmed the person was treated immediately and is expected to be fine.
Drugmakers praised the deal publicly, signaling a new phase of cooperation with the administration.
Eli Lilly CEO David Ricks called it a “defining milestone” that would expand access to life-saving treatments. Novo Nordisk executives noted that broader Medicare coverage means patients with chronic obesity will no longer be shut out of the medications entirely.
For now, the deal represents one of the administration’s most aggressive efforts yet to address high drug costs — and it comes at a moment when demand for weight-loss drugs is skyrocketing nationwide.
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