Costco is shaking up the weight loss world by offering Wegovy at nearly half the usual cost, giving thousands of people who couldn’t afford the drug before a new chance to get it. The discount, which drops the cost to about $499 for a four-week supply, applies to customers paying out of pocket through the Costco Member Prescription Program.
Wegovy, made by Novo Nordisk, has become one of the most sought-after prescriptions in the country, praised for its dramatic weight loss results and used by celebrities, influencers, and everyday people alike. But for many, the drug’s steep cost tag—often over $1,000 a month—has kept it out of reach. Insurance companies have also been slow to cover it, calling it a “lifestyle” medication rather than a medical necessity. That’s why Costco’s partnership with Novo Nordisk is such a big discount.
Under the discount, Costco members can access Wegovy and even Ozempic, another popular Novo Nordisk medication that uses the same active ingredient, for much lower prices. The program is designed for people who pay cash rather than using insurance. Executive Members or Costco Visa cardholders may qualify for an extra discount, cutting the cost even more.
Novo Nordisk began offering the $499 cost earlier this year to respond to increasing competition in the booming GLP-1 drug market, where new rivals like Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Mounjaro are drawing huge attention. Costco’s rollout takes that same pricing model and expands it to its member base, giving one of the biggest retail pharmacy programs in the country a new advantage.
The move comes as America’s obsession with GLP-1 drugs shows no signs of slowing down. Celebrities have spoken publicly about using Wegovy and Ozempic for weight management, while doctors continue to debate the long-term health implications of widespread use. For many people, though, the issue isn’t whether it works—it’s whether they can afford it.
At half cost, Costco’s program could make a real difference for people who have struggled to pay out of pocket or who were rationing doses because of cost. But there’s a catch: the discount only applies to cash-paying customers, not to those using insurance, and supply could be an issue. Wegovy shortages have anthem pharmacies nationwide over the past year as demand skyrocketed. Some experts worry that another surge in demand, driven by lower pricing, could make it harder for patients to fill their prescriptions.
Still, this partnership marks one of the most significant cost cuts ever offered on Wegovy. It signals that the drug’s maker is finally listening to consumer concerns about affordability and that big box retailers like Costco are ready to play a major role in the future of prescription access.
Wegovy, which was originally approved by the FDA for chronic weight management, works by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1 that helps regulate appetite and metabolism. While many users have reported losing 15 to 20 percent of their body weight, the medication must be taken long-term to maintain results. High costs and special access have made that difficult for most Americans, which is why Costco’s cost cut is drawing so much attention.
Whether this move sparks a pricing war among retailers or forces drugmakers to rethink their strategies remains to be seen. But for today, Costco members are celebrating what could be a major shift toward making life-changing medication accessible to more people.
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