For Texans who have struggled with the high cost of GLP‑1 medications, the landscape is shifting. Novo Nordisk announced on Feb. 1 that it will reduce the U.S. list price of Wegovy by 50%, from $1,349.02 a month to $675, and cut Ozempic’s price by 34%, also to $675, effective Jan. 1, 2027.
While list prices are not the same as out‑of‑pocket costs, the cuts could mean significant savings for patients with high‑deductible health plans or coinsurance. Those on standard commercial insurance may already pay as little as $25 a month, so the impact will be greatest for the roughly one‑third of workers enrolled in high‑deductible plans, according to Yahoo Finance.
Oral GLP‑1 option expands choice
On April 1, the FDA approved Eli Lilly’s Foundayo, a daily oral GLP‑1 pill for weight loss that can be taken any time of day without food or water restrictions. In clinical trials the highest dose produced an average loss of 27.3 pounds (12.4% of body weight). Lilly says commercial patients can pay as little as $25 a month with a savings card, Medicare Part D enrollees $50 a month starting July 1, 2026, and uninsured patients $149 a month for the lowest dose.
Dr. Deborah Horn, director of the Center for Obesity Medicine at McGovern Medical School, praised the flexibility of a pill that does not require fasting or water.
Local impact: Houston manufacturing campus
Adding a Texas‑centric boost, Eli Lilly broke ground Monday on a $6.5 billion manufacturing campus at Generation Park in northeast Houston. The facility will produce active ingredients for Lilly’s portfolio, including the new oral GLP‑1, creating jobs and reinforcing the region’s role in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Industry outlook and employer coverage changes
Experts expect continued price pressure as more oral and injectable GLP‑1 options enter the market. Dr. Harold Urschel, co‑founder of EnterHealth in Van Alstyne, told NBC 5 that “the cost will be significantly less, although it’s a lot cheaper now than it was two years ago,” and anticipates broader access as pills become common.
However, not all trends point toward easier access. Some large employers are scaling back coverage for weight‑loss indications. Bloomberg reported that PepsiCo and Cigna will end coverage of GLP‑1 drugs for weight loss for their employees later this year, citing rising costs. Both companies will continue to cover the medications when prescribed for diabetes.
New GLP‑1 candidates on the horizon
Beyond Foundayo, several next‑generation GLP‑1 drugs are in development. Eli Lilly’s retatrutide, dubbed a “triple G” drug for targeting three hormones, showed about 30% body‑weight loss over two years in the TRIUMPH 1 trial. The company plans an FDA filing in early 2027.
Novo Nordisk’s upcoming CagriSema combines semaglutide with amylin and is awaiting a FDA decision by late 2026. Amgen is testing MariTide, a monthly‑dose formulation that achieved an average 16.2% weight loss in early trials, with larger studies slated for 2027.
With more competition, manufacturers are compelled to lower prices and expand delivery options, offering Texans greater flexibility and affordability in managing obesity and diabetes.
Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
