Trump Reaches Agreement to Lower Prices of Obesity Drugs Like Wegovy: "Down to $250-$350"

Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk Reach Agreement
Obesity Drugs to Be Offered in the U.S. at Most-Favored-Nation Prices
Direct Purchases Available via TrumpRx

The prices of major obesity treatment drugs, such as Wegovy, which have been sold for over $1,000 (approximately 1.5 million won) per month in the United States, are expected to be reduced to the range of $250 to $350 (approximately 360,000 to 500,000 won).

President Donald Trump announced an agreement to reduce the price of obesity treatment drugs at an event held on the 6th (local time) in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington D.C. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News

On the 6th (local time), President Donald Trump announced at the White House that Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company behind Zepbound, and Novo Nordisk, the producer of Wegovy, have agreed to lower the prices of obesity treatment drugs in the United States.

President Trump stated, "The two pharmaceutical companies have agreed to provide obesity medications to the United States based on the most-favored-nation standard," adding, "The price of Wegovy will drop from $1,350 per month to $250, and Zepbound will be reduced from $1,080 per month to $346."

He further explained that, for Medicare recipients-seniors aged 65 and older and certain individuals with disabilities-as well as Medicaid recipients-those eligible for low-income medical assistance-the out-of-pocket cost will be reduced to as low as $50, thanks to government subsidies.

American consumers will be able to directly purchase these obesity treatment drugs through a newly launched website, 'TrumpRx,' within this year.

Wegovy and Zepbound are GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) class obesity treatments. These drugs utilize the hormone GLP-1, which is secreted in the intestine during food intake, to stimulate insulin secretion and suppress appetite.

President Trump commented, "These drugs, which I call 'fat drugs,' are highly effective, and I have never heard anything negative about them so far. These medications will save countless American lives and improve public health."

He also pointed out, "The United States accounts for only 4% of the world's population and consumes just 13% of the world's prescription drugs, yet pharmaceutical companies collect 75% of their profits from American consumers. This is a chronic unfairness."

In the United States, pharmaceutical companies set drug prices autonomously, but the involvement of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) and private insurers has led to higher drug prices compared to other countries.

Since the beginning of his second term, President Trump has pressured global pharmaceutical companies to lower drug prices in the United States to the levels seen in advanced countries, using tariffs as leverage.

As a result, major pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and AstraZeneca have reached agreements with the Trump administration to reduce drug prices.