Sales of blockbuster weight-loss drugs have surged in 2024 and are projected to continue rising in the coming years. The medications, which belong to the class of drugs called GLP-1s and were popularized by the diabetes treatment Ozempic, help regulate blood sugar levels and suppress appetite.
The market for GLP-1s is expected to grow to $105 billion by 2030, according to Morgan Stanley (MS).
However, the drugs’ high prices and limited insurance coverage have made them inaccessible for some patients. Additionally, recent shortages have further complicated access. These challenges have opened the door for telehealth companies and online pharmacies to exploit existing drug regulations by offering cheaper, off-brand versions of the medications.
Here are the most and least expensive weight-loss drugs on the market.
Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) weight-loss drug, which shares an active ingredient with Ozempic, has the highest list price at $1,349.02 per month.
Eli Lilly’s (LLY) Zepbound has a slightly more affordable list price of $1,059.8 a month.
Novo Nordisk’s pill version of Wegovy’s active ingredient, semaglutide, is priced at $968.52.
In 2024, Eli Lilly started offering single-dose vials, as opposed to the auto-injector pen that the drug typically comes in, at a cheaper price. A four-week supply of the 2.5 mg Zepbound single-dose vials costs $399, while a four-week supply of the 5 mg dose costs $549.
Ro offers a compounded version of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Wegovy, starting at $194 for the first month and $399 for each subsequent month.
Hims & Hers (HIMS) compounded semaglutide costs $199 per month.
The weight-loss app Noom offers one of the most affordable options for compounded semaglutide, starting at $149 for the first month and $279 per month thereafter.
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