Ozempic and Wegovy selected for next round of Medicare drug price negotiations
CNN
Ozempic and Wegovy, the blockbuster but costly GLP-1 drugs often used for weight loss, are among the 15 medications that will be subject to the next round of Medicare price negotiations, the Biden administration announced Friday.
Ozempic and Wegovy, the blockbuster but costly GLP-1 drugs often used for weight loss, are among the 15 medications that will be subject to the next round of Medicare price negotiations, the Biden administration announced Friday. But how much consumers will ultimately save depends on many factors, including the incoming Trump administration’s approach to the negotiation process and the type of Medicare drug coverage an enrollee has. Those not eligible for Medicare will not benefit directly. The 15 drugs on the list were used by about 5.3 million Medicare enrollees and treat a variety of diseases, including asthma, cancer and diabetes. The negotiated prices won’t take effect until 2027. Medicare spent $14.4 billion on Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as their sister medication Rybelsus, between November 2023 and October 2024. The medications, manufactured by Novo Nordisk and used to treat Type 2 diabetes and obesity, were used by nearly 2.3 million enrollees during that period. Wegovy has also been approved to treat cardiovascular disease. The other drugs on the list include: In total, Medicare spent about $41 billion on these medications, prior to rebates and discounts.
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