Novo Nordisk has reached an agreement with the US government aimed at broadening patient access and improving affordability of its semaglutide-based medication through lower pricing initiatives.
Starting in 2026, the Denmark-headquartered healthcare company will make its semaglutide products – including Wegovy and Ozempic – available under the US Medicare Part D and Medicaid programmes. The lower prices will be introduced through a pilot scheme expected to encompass the majority of Part D beneficiaries.
In addition, Novo Nordisk will offer the medicines through a direct-to-patient (DtP) cash channel, further expanding access to individuals outside insurance frameworks.
As part of the agreement, the company will receive a three-year exemption from tariffs on pharmaceutical ingredients and medicines introduced earlier this year by the US government. Novo Nordisk anticipates a direct, low single-digit negative impact on global sales growth in 2026, coinciding with the roll-out of the affordability and access initiatives.
“Novo Nordisk has always worked to secure affordable access to our innovative medicines, and [this] announcement will bring semaglutide medicines to more American patients at a lower cost” said Mike Doustdar, president and CEO of Novo Nordisk. “Importantly, this also expands obesity medication access in Medicare, which will allow people living with obesity to access authentic Wegovy”.
Novo Nordisk is the latest big pharma company to agree to lower drug prices in the US, with AstraZeneca and Pfizer having also agreed to lower drug prices in October.