Leading pharmaceutical companies are reducing the prices of their well-known obesity treatments, Wegovy and Zepbound, for individuals without health insurance.
Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk announced on Wednesday a 23% price reduction across all doses of Wegovy. The new price will now be $499 per month, reduced from the previous cost of $650, effective immediately.
This new pricing structure is available to those without insurance and to those with insurance that does not cover these weight-loss medications.
Similarly, Eli Lilly disclosed last week a price cut for its Zepbound starter dose, setting the price at $349 monthly. Additionally, the company will offer larger doses at $499 via its self-pay program.
Patients on these injectable treatments typically begin with smaller doses, gradually increasing the amount over time.
These price adjustments coincide with an improvement in the availability of these medications. Both drugs have been removed from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s list of medicines in shortage. The FDA indicated that compounding pharmacies, as well as other entities that have previously been permitted to produce off-brand, cheaper versions during the shortage, must now cease their production activities.
Wegovy and Zepbound are members of the GLP-1 class of drugs, known for delivering exceptional weight loss results by curbing appetite and enhancing feelings of satiety. The medications have experienced a surge in sales.
