Big News: Medicare Scores Major Wins in Drug Price Talks

Fifteen drugs will see price drops, with some discounts reaching as high as 85%

This is huge for the over 50 million seniors who rely on Medicare.

The Biggest Winners

• Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus: Drugs treating obesity and Type 2 diabetes will see a massive 71% price cut.
• Current cost: Around $1,000 a month.

Other Notable Drugs

• Asthma, breast cancer, and leukemia treatments: Lower prices negotiated.
• Austedo: A drug for Huntington's disease, seeing a 38% cut.

The Inflation Reduction Act

• Passed in 2022, allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices for the first time.
• Potential savings: $12 billion in 2024 alone.

The Novo Nordisk Deal

• Ozempic and Wegovy: Priced at $245 a month in a separate deal.
• Medicare negotiations: Priced at $274 a month.
• Novo Nordisk's stance: Waiting for more details, not in favor of government-set prices but committed to affordability.

AARP's Response

• Positive: Sees this as a big step forward in lowering drug prices.
• Impact: Better health for millions of seniors.

What's Next?

• More negotiations, more savings, and hopefully, more clarity on how these deals will work.
• Certainty: Medicare is making strides in making drugs more affordable for everyone.