Novo Nordisk has slashed the cash price of its diabetes drug Ozempic to $499 per month for eligible uninsured U.S. patients, cutting costs by over 50% from the previous list price. This strategic discount, available through multiple channels including GoodRx pharmacies and Novo’s direct platforms, responds to mounting political pressure over high drug prices while expanding access to the blockbuster medication.
Pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk announced the initiative on August 18, 2025, specifically targeting American adults with Type 2 diabetes who lack insurance coverage for the weekly injectable treatment. The Danish company is making the discounted Ozempic available through its official website, patient assistance programs, newly launched direct-to-consumer pharmacy, and via drug savings partner GoodRx at over 70,000 U.S. pharmacies nationwide. This multi-channel approach aims to maximize accessibility for cash-paying patients.
The price reduction comes amid intense scrutiny of diabetes and weight-loss drug pricing in the United States. Ozempic’s list price previously approached $1,350 monthly before insurance adjustments, drawing criticism from lawmakers including Senators Bernie Sanders and Bill Cassidy, who recently launched an investigation into “outrageously high” U.S. drug prices compared to other countries. The move also follows a July 2025 letter from former President Donald Trump urging Novo Nordisk and 16 other drugmakers to lower medication costs.
Novo Nordisk executives framed the discount as both a patient access initiative and a safeguard against unsafe alternatives. Dave Moore, Executive VP of U.S. Operations, stated the company wants to prevent patients from turning to “potentially unsafe and unapproved knockoff alternatives” during periods of drug scarcity. The strategy mirrors Novo’s March 2025 decision to halve the cash price of its weight-loss drug Wegovy, which shares Ozempic’s active ingredient semaglutide.
Immediate impacts include significant prescription savings for uninsured diabetics and competitive pressure on rival Eli Lilly, manufacturer of similar drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound. GoodRx CEO Wendy Barnes noted the collaboration addresses “skyrocketing demand” from consumers lacking adequate coverage. Financial markets reacted positively, with Novo Nordisk shares rising 5.3% and GoodRx surging 34.2% following the announcement.
Looking ahead, this pricing shift signals Novo Nordisk’s commitment to maintaining market leadership amid political headwinds and supply challenges. The company stated it will continue exploring “new collaborations and approaches to improving access” to its medications, suggesting potential further pricing reforms. As the U.S. drug pricing debate intensifies, similar discounts may emerge across the pharmaceutical industry.