President Trump announces an agreement with global pharmaceutical companies to lower the prices of obesity drugs at the White House on the 6th (local time). Yonhap News. 

The prices of major obesity drugs, such as Wegovy, which were typically supplied at over $1,000 per month (approximately 1.5 million KRW) in the United States, are expected to be lowered to around $250-$350 per month (approximately 360,000-500,000 KRW).

On the 6th (local time), President Trump announced at the White House that Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of 'Zepbound', and Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of 'Wegovy', have agreed to lower the prices of obesity drugs within the United States.

President Trump stated, "Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have agreed to provide obesity treatment drugs to American patients on a 'most favored nation' basis," adding, "The price of Wegovy will decrease from $1,350 per month to $250, and Zepbound will decrease from $1,080 per month to $346."

President Trump also mentioned that for beneficiaries of Medicare (healthcare support for individuals aged 65 and older and those with certain disabilities) and Medicaid (healthcare support for low-income individuals), the out-of-pocket cost could be as low as $50 due to government subsidies.

American consumers will be able to purchase these obesity drugs directly from a newly launched website, 'TrumpRx', within the year.

Wegovy and Zepbound are GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) class obesity treatment drugs. GLP-1 is a hormone secreted by the intestines when food is ingested, and it helps suppress appetite by promoting the secretion of insulin, which is important for blood sugar control.

President Trump remarked, "These drugs, which I call 'fat drugs,' are very effective. I haven't heard a bad word about them so far," and added, "These drugs will save the lives and improve the health of countless Americans."

President Trump pointed out, "The United States accounts for only 4% of the global population and consumes only 13% of the world's prescription drugs, yet pharmaceutical companies collect 75% of their profits from American consumers," calling it "chronic unfairness."

He further explained the background of the consecutive drug price reductions by global pharmaceutical companies, stating, "Earlier this year, I signed an executive order directing the full implementation of the 'most favored nation drug pricing' policy. This policy has become much easier thanks to tariffs."

In the United States, pharmaceutical companies independently determine drug prices. Due to the involvement of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and private insurance companies in the pricing process, drug prices have risen and have historically been set higher than in other countries.

President Trump has been pressuring global pharmaceutical companies to lower the prices of drugs sold in the United States to levels comparable to those in other developed countries, using tariffs as leverage, immediately after the launch of his second administration.

In response, prominent pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer and AstraZeneca had previously reached agreements with the Trump administration to lower drug prices within the United States.

Yonhap News