Medicare announced plans to negotiate lower prices for 15 costly drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Trelegy Ellipta, starting in 2027. These medications, used for conditions like diabetes, weight loss, and asthma, accounted for $41 billion in Medicare spending last year. Novo Nordisk’s drugs alone cost $14.4 billion.
The negotiations, part of the Inflation Reduction Act, aim to reduce costs for Medicare beneficiaries but have faced opposition from pharmaceutical companies.
Novo Nordisk and others argue the law could hinder innovation and access. Medicare enrollees will also benefit from related provisions, such as a $2,000 annual cap on drug expenses and no-cost vaccines.
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