Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are drastically reducing the cost of their popular GLP-1 medications, such as Wegovy and Zepbound, as part of a joint effort to expand patient access and affordability.
Novo Nordisk stated that the lowest doses of Wegovy will cost $149 for a one-month supply, pending regulatory approval, a price point that will apply across all the company’s direct-to-patient offerings. The company also confirmed plans to lower prices for its injectable drugs, including Wegovy and Ozempic, across Medicare Part D, Medicaid, and self-pay channels. Novo Nordisk is currently reviewing its U.S. self-pay pricing and anticipates announcing updated offers for both medications in the coming weeks.
Eli Lilly’s plan, focused on its digital pharmacy platform LillyDirect, offers Zepbound to self-pay patients starting at $299 for the lowest dose and up to $449 for higher doses. This pricing is comparable to European rates and approximately $50 below current direct-to-patient costs. Lilly’s once-daily oral obesity pill, Orforglipron (still awaiting federal approval), will also start at $149 for the lowest dose. Medicare beneficiaries using Zepbound and Orforglipron will face monthly costs no higher than $50.
Furthermore, additional medications, including Mounjaro, Emgality, and Trulicity, will be added to LillyDirect at discounts ranging from 50% to 60% off current list prices.
GLP-1 medications function by mimicking natural hormone pathways to help regulate appetite, enhance feelings of fullness, and improve blood sugar control. Initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes, specific formulations like Wegovy and Zepbound have more recently received FDA approval for obesity treatment.
These medications have historically been difficult to obtain due to steep out-of-pocket costs and inadequate insurance coverage. Supply constraints have also been an issue following an explosion in off-label demand for weight loss, which saw patients turn to Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Both pharmaceutical giants have previously engaged in discussions with the administration regarding increasing affordability and expanding patient access, aligning with the Most Favored Nation executive order aimed at lowering U.S. drug prices.
In the interim, both companies have launched proprietary direct-to-consumer platforms designed to reduce the barriers new patients face. Novo Nordisk launched NovoCarePharmacy in March to help patients who could not afford the standard list price or lacked insurance coverage for its highly coveted drugs Wegovy and Ozempic. Lilly’s platform, LillyDirect, launched in early 2024, allows consumers—including those who are uninsured or lack adequate coverage—to access Zepbound and Mounjaro directly from Eli Lilly.
