Costco has struck an statement pinch drugmaker Novo Nordisk to make anti-obesity GLP-1 medications specified arsenic Ozempic and Wegovy disposable to its members astatine astir half nan accustomed cost.
Through nan store’s medicine program, members pinch a valid medicine tin bargain a four-week proviso of nan injectables for $499. The connection is disposable only to those paying retired of pocket, since galore insurers still do not screen these medications.
The move comes arsenic GLP-1 supplier prices person soared arsenic proviso continues to beryllium progressively limited. This has led immoderate group to activity retired cheaper, compounded versions, a inclination that’s prompted calls for tighter national oversight.
“We want to make judge we connection nan real, authentic Wegovy and Ozempic wherever patients activity care,” David Moore, Novo Nordisk’s US president, told NBC News.
Both Ozempic and Wegovy incorporate semaglutide, an injectable medicine utilized to negociate type 2 glucosuria and beforehand weight loss. Semaglutide useful by mimicking a earthy hormone known arsenic glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), which helps modulate appetite and insulin production. By reducing hunger, it tin lead to important weight loss.
Public familiarity pinch nan supplier has grown quickly. A survey conducted successful August recovered that much than 80% of Americans had heard astatine slightest “a small bit” astir semaglutide, while astir one-third had either tried it aliases expressed liking successful doing so.
Novo Nordisk has said that much than 200,000 Wegovy prescriptions are filled successful nan US each week. Still, nan institution faces stiff title from pharmacies and clinics trading cheaper, copycat formulations of GLP-1 drugs.
As of August 2025, astir 12% of Americans person utilized GLP-1 narcotics for weight loss, including astir one-fifth of women aged 50 to 64.
Costco’s introduction into nan GLP-1 marketplace could further boost entree and demand, particularly fixed that galore wellness plans proceed to contradict sum for nan drugs.
English (US) ·
Indonesian (ID) ·