Novo Nordisk Announces Major Price Reductions for Ozempic and Wegovy
Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk has revealed plans to dramatically reduce the prices of its blockbuster weight loss medications Ozempic and Wegovy by up to 50 percent, effective from January 1, 2027. The announcement, made on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, marks a significant shift in the pharmaceutical market aimed at improving access for millions of Americans.
Substantial Price Drops Across Key Medications
The list price for Wegovy will be halved, plummeting from approximately $1,350 to $675 per month. Ozempic will see its monthly cost fall to $675, representing a reduction of around one-third from its current price of $1,027. Additionally, Novo Nordisk's diabetes pill Rybelsus, which currently sells for nearly $1,000, will also be priced at $675. These reductions will apply to all patients, regardless of insurance status.
Jamey Millar, Executive Vice President of Novo Nordisk U.S. Operations, stated in a release: "Patients on the drugs have been calling for lower prices. Our actions today answer that call and remove cost barriers so the value of Wegovy and Ozempic can be realized by more patients." The company emphasized that the move is designed to enhance affordability and access for Americans navigating the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system.
Context of America's Weight Loss Drug Boom
This pricing strategy comes at a time when weight loss drugs have surged in popularity. According to a 2025 poll from non-profit KFF Health, approximately 12 percent of Americans—or one in eight—are now taking medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. Since GLP-1 weight loss drugs entered the market in 2021, the adult obesity rate in the United States has declined from a record 39.9 percent to 37 percent, as reported in a Gallup survey last year.
Novo Nordisk highlighted the broader public health implications, noting: "Lowering the list price of Wegovy and Ozempic is the best approach to address the unprecedented opportunity to help more than 100 million people living with obesity and over 35 million people with type 2 diabetes in the United States."
Political and Competitive Landscape
The announcement follows a partnership between Novo Nordisk and the Trump administration last year, which also involved key competitors such as Eli Lilly & Company and Pfizer. This collaboration led to the launch of TrumpRx.gov, a website featuring 43 medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Eli Lilly's Zepbound.
During a November Oval Office meeting with President Donald Trump, Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doustdar expressed optimism about the initiative: "We believe that access to life-changing medicine should not be a privilege. It is a societal promise." The Trump administration has claimed that TrumpRx.gov would lower out-of-pocket costs for individuals purchasing weight loss and other drugs without insurance.
Criticism and Market Comparisons
Despite these efforts, TrumpRx.gov has faced scrutiny from health experts who argue that the site does not provide discounts for insured patients who might otherwise secure even lower prices. Social media users have also noted similarities between TrumpRx and existing drug discount platforms like GoodRx, which lists prices for over 30 medications available on the TrumpRx site.
The price cuts by Novo Nordisk represent a direct response to both patient demands and competitive pressures, potentially reshaping the accessibility of obesity and diabetes treatments in the coming years.
