Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical company that makes Ozempic and Wegovy, is now offering the drugs at lower prices for self-pay patients.
On Monday, the company announced it would offer both drugs, Ozempic (the weight-loss version of the drug) and Wegovy (the version that addressed diabetes), at a discounted rate of $199 per month for a limited time. The introductory offer runs from now until March 31, 2026. The announcement noted that the price is only good for the first two months of treatment, and at the lowest doses of the drugs. After the first few months of treatment, the pay rate will move to the new monthly self-pay rate of $349 per month, down from $499.
“As pioneers of the GLP-1 class, we want to ensure that true, FDA-approved Wegovy and Ozempic are affordable and accessible to those who need them,” said Dave Moore, Executive Vice President, US Operations of Novo Nordisk Inc., in a press release.
Moore continued, “The U.S. healthcare system is complex, with different types of insurance and different ways for patients to obtain their medications. Our new savings offers have an immediate impact and bring greater cost savings to those who currently do not have coverage or choose to self-pay.”
According to the announcement, patients can access the new offerings in three different ways: via Wegovy.com or Ozempic.com.; via NovoCare Pharmacy; or through participating organizations and select telehealth providers that work directly with Novo Nordisk, such as Costco, GoodRx, WeightWatchers, Ro, LifeMD and eMed).
The offer comes amid the Trump administration’s call for companies that produce weight-loss drugs to lower prices. Earlier this month, Trump said during his speech in the Oval Office that after months of negotiations, an agreement had been reached that would affect drug prices for those on Medicaid and Medicare, and for users of the drugs. TrumpRx websiteexpected by the end of the year.
“Today I am pleased to announce that the two largest pharmaceutical manufacturers in the world, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, have agreed to offer their most popular GLP-1 weight loss drug – I call it the fat drug, remember – at drastic discounts,” Trump said.
The competitive prices come as obesity rates are falling, due to dependence on weight loss medications. While 39.9% of Americans met the criteria for obesity in 2022, that number has dropped to 37% – or about 7.6 million Americans who no longer meet the threshold.
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