Nearly 1 in 5 U.S. adults has taken a GLP-1 drug, data shows<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By I. Edwards HealthDay Reporter<\/b>
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WEDNESDAY, Nov. 19, 2025 (HealthDay News) \u2014 People paying out of pocket for Ozempic<\/a> or Wegovy may soon see lower costs, as Novo Nordisk<\/a> rolls out new price discounts for its popular GLP-1 medications.<\/p>\n The company announced that through the end of March, patients with prescriptions can buy the two lowest doses of Ozempic<\/a> and Wegovy<\/a> for $199 a month for two months.<\/p>\n After that, the monthly cost rises to $349. The discounts can be accessed through the drugs\u2019 websites and used at pharmacies or through telehealth.<\/p>\n The $199 offer only applies to 0.25 mg and 0.5 mg injections. The higher $349 price covers the 1 mg dose of Ozempic and all Wegovy doses. The 2 mg dose of Ozempic is not included.<\/p>\n “The US healthcare system is complex, with different types of insurance and various ways for patients to obtain their medicines,” Dave Moore<\/a>, Novo Nordisk\u2019s executive vice president of U.S. operations, told NBC News<\/em>.<\/p>\n “Our new savings offers provide immediate impact, bringing forward greater cost savings for those who are currently without coverage or choose to self-pay,” he added.<\/p>\n These price cuts come as list prices for both medications remain around $1,000 or more per month.<\/p>\n They also follow a recent partnership with Costco<\/a>, which began offering low-dose Ozempic and Wegovy for $499 per month out of pocket.<\/p>\n Novo Nordisk has similar cash-pay deals available through CVS, Walmart and its own direct-to-consumer website.<\/p>\n President Donald Trump<\/a> said this month that he is working with Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly<\/a> to lower out-of-pocket costs even more to between $50 and $350, depending on dose and insurance.<\/p>\n Demand for GLP-1 medications has surged as studies show they not only support weight loss but may also improve heart health, help treat sleep apnea<\/a> and reduce cancer mortality.<\/p>\n A recent KFF survey<\/a> found that almost 1 in 5 U.S. adults has taken a GLP-1 drug, and 1 in 8 currently use one. About 25% of users say they have insurance but still pay the full cost themselves.<\/p>\n Dr. Shauna Levy<\/a>, medical director of the Tulane Weight Loss Center in New Orleans, told NBC News<\/em> the new pricing could help many more patients afford treatment.<\/p>\n “Less than a quarter of the country has the commercial insurance that actually covers GLP-1s,” Levy said. “If $500 per month is too expensive, then there\u2019s going to be a new category of patients that $350 a month is more affordable.”<\/p>\n But experts warn the discounts could also have downsides. Stacie Dusetzina<\/a>, a health policy professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee said the $199 \u2018teaser rate\u2019 may draw people in, but the price increase to $349 could push them off treatment before they see much benefit at all.<\/p>\n “It\u2019s a smart sales strategy, but I\u2019m not sure it\u2019s a very good strategy for thinking about the health of people who are interested in taking these drugs and who could benefit from them,” Dusetzina told NBC News<\/em>.<\/p>\n Lower cash prices might also make employers reconsider coverage, she added. While more companies are covering GLP-1 drugs compared to last year, rising benefit costs may lead some to view these cash-pay options as a reason to cut back on their benefits.<\/p>\n “If they\u2019re looking for places to cut, having a lot of focus and attention on these lower-cost cash-pay options could give employers an excuse,” Dusetzina added.<\/p>\n Levy emphasized that GLP-1 drugs are only one tool for treating obesity, and that bariatric surgery, which is widely covered by insurance, is also a good option for many people.<\/p>\n “I do think this is, overall, a huge win for patients, because driving the price down increases access,” Levy said.<\/p>\n More information<\/strong><\/p>\n The Cleveland Clinic has more on how weight loss medications work<\/a>.<\/p>\n