Ozempic Prices Cut Up to 50% Starting 2027

Millions of Americans struggling to afford life-changing weight-loss and diabetes medications just got some long-awaited relief.

Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk announced it will cut US list prices for Wegovy and Ozempic by up to 50% starting January 2027. Both medications will drop to $675 per month, down from current prices that can exceed $1,300.

The price cuts specifically target patients who've been hit hardest by high costs. People with high-deductible insurance plans or co-insurance tied to list prices could see their monthly payments drop to as low as $25.

Similar reductions will apply to pill versions of the medications, including Rybelsus. The company says it wants to make these breakthrough treatments accessible to everyone who needs them, not just those who can afford premium insurance.

The timing aligns perfectly with new Medicare negotiations. Starting in 2027, Medicare beneficiaries will pay just $274 for a 30-day supply of either drug, well below even the reduced list price.

For patients already paying out of pocket through Novo Nordisk's direct-to-consumer program, nothing changes. Those cash prices, ranging from $149 to $499 monthly depending on dose, will stay the same.

The Ripple Effect

This move could reshape how millions of Americans access healthcare. The GLP-1 drug market is expected to nearly double to $139 billion by 2030, and lower prices mean more people can benefit from medications that treat both diabetes and obesity.

The announcement also intensifies healthy competition in the pharmaceutical industry. Rival Eli Lilly, which makes similar medications Mounjaro and Zepbound, now faces pressure to match these price cuts.

Beyond individual patients, the reduction could ease the burden on employers and insurers who've struggled with soaring prescription costs. When breakthrough medications become affordable, entire healthcare systems benefit.

This represents a major shift in how drugmakers approach pricing in America, where medication costs have long outpaced other developed nations. When companies prioritize patient access alongside profits, everyone wins.