Novo Nordisk will offer Wegovy (0.25 mg and 0.5 mg) and Ozempic to new self‑pay patients at $199/month for the first two months through March 31, 2026. After the introductory period, the standard self‑pay price will be lowered from $499 to $349 per month. The move follows an agreement with the U.S. administration and a related plan to set a $245 monthly starting price for Medicare, Medicaid and TrumpRX users. Lawmakers have raised concerns about limited public details and a tariff exemption tied to the deals.
Novo Nordisk Cuts Cash Prices for Wegovy and Ozempic — $199 Intro Offer; Self‑Pay Drops to $349
Novo Nordisk announced a new cash‑price program for its popular weight‑loss and diabetes injections, offering Wegovy (0.25 mg and 0.5 mg) and Ozempic to new self‑pay customers for $199 a month as a two‑month introductory rate through March 31, 2026. After the introductory period, the standard self‑pay price will be reduced from $499 to $349 per month.
What the offer includes
The $199 monthly rate applies for the first two months following an initial purchase by new self‑pay patients. After that, continuing self‑pay customers will be charged the new standard rate of $349 per month. Novo Nordisk said the move brings forward pricing commitments it had agreed to with the U.S. administration for 2026.
How to access the savings
Patients can obtain the self‑pay options directly through the Wegovy and Ozempic websites, at NovoCare pharmacies, or via participating telehealth and retail partners such as Costco, GoodRx, WeightWatchers, and eMed.
“These offers follow the recent agreement with the U.S. Administration to expand access to medicines for patients living with obesity and other chronic conditions like diabetes,” the company said. Dave Moore, Novo Nordisk's executive vice president of U.S. operations, added the changes will have an “immediate impact,” delivering greater savings for people without coverage or who choose to pay cash.
Broader context and criticism
The announcement accompanies a separate agreement between the U.S. administration and manufacturers Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly to set a starting monthly price of $245 for injectable GLP‑1 products for people on Medicare and Medicaid and for users of the planned TrumpRX platform, expected to launch early next year. A senior administration official said the savings from those price reductions would help expand coverage for patients with obesity or high metabolic or cardiovascular risk.
Lawmakers have raised questions about the arrangements. Senator Ruben Gallego (D‑Ariz.) sent a letter to Eli Lilly seeking more details, saying the public has been given only sparse information and noting that Eli Lilly would receive a three‑year exemption from Section 232 tariffs as part of the deal. Section 232 tariffs are a presidential tool intended for national security concerns and have been threatened against drugmakers in prior years.
Critics also warned that platforms like TrumpRX, as described, could require patients to bypass their insurance and pay cash — potentially resulting in higher out‑of‑pocket costs for some people. Many insured patients already have lower copays or coinsurance than the discounts proposed for TrumpRX, so the practical benefit for those patients remains unclear.
What patients should do
Patients considering these options should check their current insurance copays and coverage for GLP‑1 medicines, compare the cash prices and introductory offers, and consult their health care provider or pharmacist to determine the most cost‑effective and clinically appropriate option.
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