In a significant healthcare announcement, former President Donald Trump has revealed plans to dramatically reduce the cost of popular weight loss medications and expand access for millions of Americans. The initiative targets GLP-1 drugs, including injectable treatments from pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk.
Major Price Reductions for Weight Loss Medications
The Trump administration confirmed that injectable versions of GLP-1 medications will see substantial price reductions, with average costs dropping to approximately $350 per month. According to official statements, these prices are expected to "trend down" to $245 per month over the next two years.
For Medicare beneficiaries, the pricing becomes even more favourable. Patients will pay only $50 as a co-pay each month, with the remaining $195 covered by the programme. State Medicaid programmes will also have the opportunity to access these reduced prices if they choose to participate in the new scheme.
Expanded Access Through TrumpRx Platform
The medications will be available through TrumpRx, a newly launched public website where consumers can purchase prescription drugs directly from manufacturers. This direct-to-consumer approach aims to bypass traditional distribution channels that often contribute to higher costs.
Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr projected ambitious outcomes from the expanded access, stating that the American public would collectively lose 125 million pounds by this time next year. "It is going to have dramatic effects on human health in this country," Kennedy emphasised during the announcement.
Breaking Down Barriers to Obesity Treatment
The move represents a significant shift in obesity treatment accessibility. Currently, many insurance providers refuse coverage for weight loss medications when prescribed solely for obesity management. The high costs – often exceeding $1,000 per month – have forced many patients to seek compounded versions rather than brand-name treatments.
Dr Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, described the plan as focused on "democratizing access to these medications." He projected that the increased cost of covering these drugs for more people on the public system would be budget-neutral within two years due to savings from reduced obesity-related health issues.
The announcement comes as part of Trump's broader "most-favored-nation" prescription drug pricing plan, which aims to align American drug prices with those in other countries. In a May executive order, the president noted that Americans frequently pay "almost three times more for the exact same medicines, often made in the exact same factories."
