Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk has announced a temporary price reduction for its popular weight-loss drug, Wegovy, lowering the cost to $199 for a one-month supply through June 30, USA Today reports.
The offer is available to new patients who previously used compounded versions of the medication and must pay out of pocket due to lack of insurance coverage.
The move comes just as a federal deadline takes effect on May 22, requiring the discontinuation of compounded versions of semaglutide—the active ingredient in Wegovy and its diabetes counterpart, Ozempic—following a declaration from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that shortages of the medication have ended. As a result, compounding pharmacies are no longer legally permitted to produce or distribute less expensive versions of the drug.
Novo Nordisk said the reduced price is part of an effort to ease the transition for patients who can no longer obtain compounded alternatives.
“We want to be there and meet patients as they transition from a compounded [version] to the real Wegovy,” said Dave Moore, the company’s executive vice president of US operations.
After June 30, the price will revert to the standard cash price of $499. The discount is available through the company’s NovoCare pharmacy and select telehealth providers.
In recent months, demand for GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound has surged, while insurance coverage remains inconsistent. Although these medications are often covered when prescribed for diabetes or heart-related conditions, many insurers have excluded them from obesity treatment plans. Some insurance carriers, such as certain Blue Cross Blue Shield plans, do not cover them for weight loss purposes at all.
In April, a proposal by the Biden administration to expand Medicare coverage for weight-loss medications was rejected by the Trump-appointed leadership of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), further limiting coverage options for older Americans.
The removal of the FDA’s shortage designation has faced criticism from groups representing compounders. The Outsourcing Facilities Association, an industry trade group, filed a legal motion seeking to delay the enforcement of the new rules but was denied by a federal judge. The group argues that patient access has been diminished and contends that the FDA relied too heavily on data provided by pharmaceutical manufacturers.
“FDA-registered outsourcing facilities will no longer be able to make compounded GLP-1 medications, removing a more affordable option for consumers,” said Lee Rosebush, the group’s chairman. “We urge patients who are affected by the FDA’s action to contact their members of Congress and the FDA directly.”
As part of its broader strategy to increase access, Novo Nordisk has partnered with several telehealth companies—including Hims & Hers, LifeMD, and Ro—to distribute Wegovy. These platforms cater to cash-paying patients and offer additional services such as personalized coaching and health monitoring. The telehealth company Ro has also announced a reduced first-month membership fee of $45 for new users.
The one-time $199 Wegovy offer is accessible via Wegovy.com, where patients can download or receive a mobile version of the discount. The telehealth providers may offer the promotion under their own terms and may include additional fees.
Meanwhile, Novo Nordisk’s competitor Eli Lilly has also made recent pricing adjustments. In February, the company reduced the cash price of its Zepbound drug by $50 for lower-dose vials purchased through its LillyDirect platform. Pricing for Zepbound now starts at $349 for 2.5 mg vials and rises to $499 for 5 mg doses.
