Ozempic price slash set to reshape obesity drug market

Novo Nordisk is undercutting archrival Eli Lilly & Co. on obesity drugs for cash-pay patients, showing its willingness to compete on price as it tries to claw back a larger share of the U.S. market.

- By Naomi KRESGE AND MADISON MULLER

INTRODUCTORY doses of Wegovy and Ozempic are now available for $199 a month, maker Novo said.

(DAVID J. PHILLIP Associated Press)

Starting Monday, introductory doses of Novo’s blockbusters Wegovy and Ozempic became available for $199 a month, the Danish drugmaker said. The price applies to the first two months of treatment; after that, Novo will offer the drugs via its NovoCare direct-to-consumer portal for $349 a month, 30% less than the current self-pay price. That matches Lilly's price for a low dose of its obesity shot Zepbound and is less than the price of higher doses.

Shares of Novo Nordisk rose less than 1% in Copenhagen on Monday, while Lilly's shares were down less than 1% in New York.