Lowering Drug Prices: A New Approach Today, President Trump announced a major initiative aimed at making prescription drugs more affordable for Americans. This involves deals with pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to significantly cut prices on popular medications.
- This agreement will reduce the cost of Ozempic and Wegovy, which are essential for managing diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Prices will drop from approximately $1,000 and $1,350 per month to just $350 through TrumpRx.
- If new drugs Zepbound and Orforglipron gain FDA approval, their prices will fall from $1,086 to around $346 under the same program.
- Should Wegovy’s pill form receive approval, it will be available at $150 per month through TrumpRx.
This strategy aims to provide more affordable options for Medicare and Medicaid, allowing coverage for these life-changing drugs at significantly lower costs. Under this plan, Medicare prices for drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy will be $245, less than half of earlier proposals. Patients may only need to pay a co-pay of $50 per month.
- Additionally, other Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk medications will also see price cuts. For instance, migraine treatment Emgality will cost $299 per pen, while diabetes medication Trulicity will be available for $389—saving patients $598 off the list price.
- Insulin products will cost just $35 a month.
Investing in Domestic Manufacturing Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are increasing their investments in U.S. production. Novo Nordisk is set to invest $10 billion to enhance its manufacturing capacity, while Eli Lilly has committed nearly $27 billion to similar efforts.
With the CDC reporting that 40% of American adults are classified as obese—often leading to chronic diseases—this initiative could play a crucial role in reversing the obesity epidemic. New policies are expected to pair these lower drug prices with educational programs focused on healthy living.
Addressing International Pricing Disparities One of the main goals of this initiative is to tackle the dilemma of high drug prices in the U.S. compared to other countries. Recent statistics reveal that Americans pay more than three times the average price for brand-name drugs than those in other developed nations. This creates an unfair burden on U.S. consumers.
Trump’s plan seeks to correct this imbalance, ensuring that American taxpayers are not the only ones bearing the cost of pharmaceutical innovation. According to industry analysis, the U.S. represents only 5% of the global population, yet accounts for about 75% of all pharmaceutical profits. This has led to American consumers indirectly supporting lower drug prices abroad.
Staying Committed to Patients President Trump has consistently advocated for American patients, pushing for lower drug prices since signing an Executive Order in May 2025. His administration has negotiated multiple agreements with pharmaceutical companies to align U.S. prices with those in other developed nations.
By addressing the issue of high drug prices, the government aims to deliver meaningful relief for many Americans who rely on these medications for their health and well-being.
