Novo Nordisk lowers Wegovy and Ozempic prices to $349 per month
Nuevo Nordisk announced on Monday that it will reduce the list price for its weight‑loss medication Wegovy and its diabetes treatment Ozempic to $349 per month for consumers who purchase the drugs directly from the company. The new price represents a reduction of roughly 30 percent from the previous list price of $499 per month for Wegovy and $449 for Ozempic.
The price adjustment comes amid growing scrutiny of the cost of glucagon‑like peptide‑1 (GLP‑1) receptor agonists, which have seen a surge in demand as clinicians prescribe them for obesity and type‑2 diabetes. High out‑of‑pocket costs have been cited as a barrier for many patients, especially in the United States, where the drugs are among the most expensive chronic‑therapy options on the market.
Company officials said the reduction aligns with ongoing efforts by the pharmaceutical sector and the current administration to improve affordability of essential medicines. The move also follows recent policy proposals aimed at capping insulin and other high‑priced drugs, as well as the introduction of competing GLP‑1 products that could pressure pricing.
Health‑policy analysts noted that the lower price could increase access for individuals who lack insurance coverage or face high deductibles. Patient‑advocacy groups welcomed the step, describing it as a positive response to calls for more affordable treatment options, while cautioning that insurance‑based pricing will continue to affect many users.
The price cut applies only to direct‑to‑consumer purchases and does not automatically change reimbursement rates negotiated by insurers or pharmacy benefit managers. Nonetheless, industry observers expect the change to influence broader market dynamics, potentially prompting other manufacturers to adjust their pricing structures. The company indicated that it will monitor the impact on prescription volumes and consider further adjustments if needed.
