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Mon, 23 Mar 2026

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 US weight-loss drugmakers slash prices in fight to win customers

Weight-loss drug prices are falling in the US - but can the example be repeated?
A 56-year-old self-employed woman, Ruth Gonzalez, had to pay $350 monthly out-of-pocket for weight-loss medicine Zepbound due to her health insurance not covering it. To afford the treatment, she made significant financial sacrifices, including reducing her phone plan, streaming subscriptions, and grocery spending. However, after six weeks of taking the medication, her blood pressure returned to normal, and she lost over 40 pounds. Gonzalez's experience is a testament to the growing trend of pharmaceutical companies competing directly with insurers and employers to offer discounted prices for prescription medications in the US. Eli Lilly, Zepbound's manufacturer, has reduced its vial prices by $50-$100, allowing Gonzalez to switch to a more expensive dose. The price cuts are part of a larger phenomenon where weight-loss drugmakers are lowering their prices due to intense competition in the US market, which has an obesity rate of around 40% among adults. Pharmaceutical firms have launched direct-to-consumer sales websites, distribution deals with retail giants, and court battles against off-label rivals. Economists and health advocates are hopeful that this shift could lead to more transparency in pricing and ultimately bring down healthcare costs for Americans. However, experts warn that the benefits may be limited, as many people will still struggle to afford expensive medications even with reduced prices. The Trump administration's decision to have Medicare cover weight-loss drugs on a trial basis starting in July is seen by some as a more meaningful step towards making these treatments accessible to those who need them. However, health advocates remain focused on pushing insurers to expand coverage and are concerned that the direct-to-consumer model may distract from the broader goal of universal access to affordable healthcare.