Core Insights - Eli Lilly & Co. and Novo Nordisk A/S have reached agreements with the Trump administration to reduce prices for their weight-loss drugs, Zepbound and Wegovy, in exchange for tariff relief and expanded Medicare access [1][2][4] - The deals will allow broader Medicare coverage for weight-loss medications, previously restricted, enabling more patients to access these treatments [4][7] Pricing and Accessibility - Starting next year, eligible patients will be able to purchase Lilly's Zepbound and Novo's Wegovy for $245 a month, with a co-pay of $50 for Medicare patients [4] - Current list prices for these drugs exceed $1,000 a month, with Lilly offering a reduced price of $50 less through its LillyDirect platform, while Novo's Wegovy is priced at $499 via NovoCare [5] Market Impact - Approximately 8 to 9 million people in the US currently use GLP-1 drugs, and the inclusion of Medicare coverage could potentially increase this number by up to 40 million new eligible patients [7] - The agreement includes fast-track reviews for new weight-loss medications from both companies, potentially expediting the approval process significantly [8] Competitive Landscape - The agreements follow similar initiatives by other pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Merck to mitigate regulatory pressures and criticism from the Trump administration [9] - Novo Nordisk has pledged significant investments in US manufacturing, including a $4.1 billion factory expansion in North Carolina, as it seeks to regain market share against Lilly [14]