Trump Announces Agreement to Cut Prices of Popular Weight‑Loss Medications to $149 a Month

President Donald J. Trump revealed a new arrangement with pharmaceutical giants Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk that will dramatically reduce the cost of their best‑selling obesity treatments. Under the deal, the monthly price for the drugs—currently marketed as some of the most effective options for weight loss and diabetes management—will be capped at $149 for patients covered by Medicare and Medicaid, as well as for Americans who pay out‑of‑pocket.The announcement came during a press briefing in Washington, where the president highlighted the growing public health challenge of obesity in the United States. “For too long, life‑saving medications have been out of reach for many families,” Trump said. “This agreement puts powerful, clinically proven treatments within the grasp of ordinary Americans.”Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide (sold under the brand name Mounjaro) and Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide (branded as Wegovy) have surged in popularity after clinical trials demonstrated significant weight reductions and improvements in blood‑sugar control. However, the high retail price—often exceeding $1,000 per month—has limited access for many patients, especially seniors and low‑income individuals.By negotiating a price of $149 per month, the administration aims to make these therapies more affordable for the nation’s most vulnerable populations. The reduced price will apply to prescriptions filled through Medicare Part D, state Medicaid programs, and private payers who choose to adopt the pricing model. The companies also pledged to maintain the lower cost for a minimum of five years, subject to periodic review.Health policy experts welcomed the move, noting that the price cut could translate into millions of new patients receiving treatment, potentially easing the long‑term burden of obesity‑related conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. “Affordability has been the biggest barrier,” said Dr. Linda Martinez, a public‑health researcher at the University of Michigan. “If these numbers hold, we could see a real shift in population health outcomes.”Critics, however, cautioned that the agreement’s impact will depend on how quickly insurers and pharmacies adopt the new pricing structure. Some Republican lawmakers also questioned whether the administration had secured the best possible deal for taxpayers, urging greater transparency in the negotiation process.The White House indicated that the pricing plan will be rolled out in stages, beginning with pilot programs in select states before expanding nationwide. Officials expect the first wave of reduced‑price prescriptions to reach patients by early next year.If successful, the initiative could set a precedent for future negotiations on high‑cost specialty drugs, signaling a more aggressive federal stance on drug pricing and access. Trump concluded the briefing by urging Congress to support the effort and by promising continued action to make essential medicines affordable for all Americans.