Despite improvements in supply, the cost of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy remains steep, raising questions about long-term affordability and access for millions of Americans.
Over the past two years, both drugs—Ozempic, primarily used for type 2 diabetes, and Wegovy, specifically approved for obesity—were included on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) drug shortage list. That designation created widespread concern among patients and healthcare providers alike, as demand for these medications surged alongside growing recognition of their effectiveness in managing both weight and related chronic conditions.
In recent months, the FDA has officially lifted the shortage status, citing stabilized supply chains and improved manufacturing output. However, the removal of these drugs from the shortage list has not translated into relief at the pharmacy counter. Prices remain stubbornly high, with monthly costs for Wegovy averaging around $1,300 and Ozempic prices not far behind—costs that are rarely fully covered by insurance for non-diabetic patients using them for weight management.
The continued demand, driven in part by social media buzz and high-profile endorsements, has kept the market hot and manufacturers in a strong position to maintain premium pricing. Analysts say that the financial strain is being felt particularly hard by middle-income Americans whose insurance plans either do not cover weight-loss drugs or do so with high co-pays.
“There is a growing disconnect between clinical need and financial access,” says Dr. Melissa Crane, an endocrinologist at a Boston-based medical center. “Patients are being prescribed these medications as part of legitimate treatment plans, but are increasingly unable to afford them long-term.”
The pricing issue also poses challenges for the broader healthcare system. If GLP-1 drugs can reduce long-term obesity-related illnesses such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and type 2 diabetes, they may eventually lower healthcare costs. But without affordable access, the full benefits may be limited to those who can pay out-of-pocket or have robust insurance coverage.
Lawmakers and health policy advocates are beginning to weigh in. There have been renewed calls for Medicare and private insurers to expand coverage for obesity treatments, as well as discussions about negotiating drug prices under the Inflation Reduction Act provisions.
Until broader policy or market changes take effect, however, affordability will remain a key barrier. For now, many U.S. consumers are left to weigh the benefits of these transformative drugs against their considerable costs.