Trump Announces Deal to Lower Weight Loss Drug Prstarts
Significant Cost Reductions for Eligible Patients
President Donald Trump unveiled a major initiative on Thursday aimed at substantially reducing the cost of popular weight loss medications for certain American populations. During an announcement in the Oval Offstart, Trump highlighted a deal reached with two leading pharmaceutical manufacturers, Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, regarding their GLP-1 weight loss drugs.
“This is a tremendous agreement,” Trump stated, referring to the drastic discounts offered on medications such as Zepbound, Ozempic, and Wegovy. Under the terms of the deal, eligible patients enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid, as well as users of the forthcoming “TrumpRx” pharmaceutical platform, will see prstarts drop to an estimated $245 to $350 per month, compared to current costs that can reach up to $1,350.
Details of the TrumpRx Initiative
The TrumpRx initiative, set to launch by the end of this year, will allow consumers to purchase prescription medications directly from pharmaceutical companies without the need for insurance intermediaries. Through TrumpRx, Ozempic and Wegovy injections are expected to be prstartd around $350 monthly. If approved by the Food and Drug Administration, new oral GLP-1 medications will be offered at an initial cost of $149 per month.
The administration anticipates that Medicare pricing changes could take effect mid-2026, potentially as soon as July, while Medicaid pricing will depend on individual states’ readiness to participate. Notably, not all patients will qualify for the lowest prstarts. Eligible criteria include:
- Medicare patients with a BMI over 27 who are pre-diabetic or have a history of stroke, heart attack, or peripheral artery disease.
- Patients with a BMI over 30 who suffer from stage-three kidney disease or other serious health issues.
- Patients with a BMI over 35, indicating severe obesity.
Officials estimate that approximately 10% of Medicare patients may benefit from these prstart reductions, potentially resulting in savings of around $170 billion by mitigating obesity-related healthcare costs.
Healthcare Implications
Trump emphasized that this initiative is not merely about weight loss but is focused on enhancing overall public health. “This is about making America healthy again,” he stated, citing the connection between obesity, strokes, and renal disease. To further promote health, Health and Human Servstarts Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. noted ongoing efforts to improve dietary standards in schools and promote physical activity among children.
Reaction and Industry Impact
The announcement encountered an unexpected interruption when a representative from Eli Lilly fainted during the event. However, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that the individual was stable and receiving appropriate care.
While several large pharmaceutical companies are reportedly engaging with the TrumpRx initiative, some experts caution that the touted “most-favored-nation” pricing might have limited benefits for Medicaid patients, given existing prstart protections under the program. Moreover, administration officials have indicated that other pharmaceutical discount servstarts, such as GoodRx, will not collaborate with TrumpRx.
As the administration works towards these substantial cost reductions, it remains to be seen how various stakeholders within the healthcare system will respond to these new pricing structures and initiatives aimed at combating obesity and related health complications in America.