Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, whose weight-loss-related drugs have caused a frenzy, are working with the Trump administration on a deal that would cut the cost of the lowest doses of their popular drugs to $149 for a month's supply, people familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal.
As part of the deal, which could be announced as soon as Thursday, the drugs would be sold through TrumpRx, a forthcoming government-run initiative expected to launch next year that will connect consumers directly with drug manufacturers to purchase discounted prescription drugs without insurance.
Under the deal, Medicare and Medicaid would also cover the drugs for weight-loss, effectively boosting the number of patients who can access the drug, the people told the Journal.
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A Novo Nordisk spokesperson told FOX Business that the company "is engaged in constructive discussions with the administration regarding the Most Favored Nation executive order," which is aimed at lowering U.S. drug prices by requiring that Medicare pay no more for certain prescription drugs than the lowest price paid by other developed countries.
"We remain focused on improving patient access and affordability, and we will continue to work to find solutions that help people access the medication they need," the spokesperson said. They did not comment on the particular deal.
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Eli Lilly told FOX Business that it is also in discussions with the administration to further expand patient access, preserve innovation and promote the affordability of our medicines. It declined to offer specific details about the discussion.
However, the people said President Donald Trump could make an announcement as soon as Thursday alongside pharmaceutical executives.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also declined to comment on the specifics of the deal during a Tuesday press conference, but said the president has previously noted that this has been a big priority for the administration.
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"I won't get ahead of the president on any future announcements, but I will echo his strong commitment to bringing down drug prices in this country," Leavitt said. "And you've heard it directly from Secretary Kennedy and Dr. Marty McCaffrey and his entire Health and Human Services team how committed the president is, to bringing down the cost of drugs."
She also said that the administration has been working with the "pharmaceutical companies to do that every day."
Both companies have already launched their own direct to consumer platforms which are aimed at expanding patient access by limiting the barriers new patients face.
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Novo Nordisk launched its platform, NovoCarePharmacy, in March, allowing patients who couldn’t afford the standard list price or lacked insurance coverage for its highly coveted drugs Wegovy and Ozempic.
Lilly's platform LillyDirect, which launched in early 2024, allows some consumers who lack insurance or who are insured or lack adequate coverage to access Zepbound and Mounjaro directly from Eli Lilly without going through insurance.
