Summary
Category: business
Medicare's decision to cover certain weight loss drugs, including Ozempic, could significantly impact how obesity is treated in the U.S. Eli Lilly, a drug company, plans to launch a new weight loss pill, orforglipron, which Medicare will cover soon after its release. This change could lower costs for patients and expand access to weight management medications.
Key Facts
- Medicare will start covering weight loss drugs such as GLP-1 medications, which help treat type 2 diabetes and aid weight loss.
- Eli Lilly's CEO stated that their new obesity pill, orforglipron, will be covered by Medicare right after its launch.
- Under the new Medicare coverage, patients could pay as little as $50 per month for these medications.
- Eli Lilly plans a full launch of their new pill in the second quarter when Medicare coverage begins.
- Approximately 20 to 30 million Medicare beneficiaries in the U.S. could benefit due to obesity concerns.
- Previously, patients often paid out of pocket for similar medications from other companies.
- Medicare's decision is part of a pilot program approved by the Trump administration.
- The high cost of these drugs in the U.S. had been a barrier compared to their prices in other countries.
