Medicare and Medicaid to Pilot Weight-Loss Drug Coverage

The Trump administration is set to explore covering weight-loss drugs under Medicare and Medicaid, a significant policy shift reported by the Washington Post.

This marks a departure from federal policy after rejecting a proposal from the Biden era earlier this year. GLP-1 drugs, originally created for type 2 diabetes, are now central to combating obesity, affecting millions of Americans. Their potential for reducing appetite and weight has garnered widespread attention.

Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly dominate this lucrative market, predicted to exceed $150 billion annually by 2030. Yet, drug costs ranging from $5,000 to $7,000 annually fuel debate on long-term affordability. Proposed coverages could spark sales growth for both drugmakers, with up to 135 million Americans eligible for these programs.

(With inputs from agencies.)