Global Scans · Diet Drugs · Weekly Summary

• [New] A secondary post hoc analysis of a phase 3 trial showed that treatment with semaglutide resulted in early reduction in risk of major adverse cardiovascular events in adult patients with obesity and established cardiovascular disease (CVD). Drug Topics
• [New] Insurers have raised premiums by an average of 18% for 2026 due to higher medical costs, increased use of GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, rising hospital prices driven by workforce shortages and consolidation, and concerns about a sicker risk pool if subsidies expire. MooLoo
• [New] GLP-1 drug use was linked to a 0.77 adjusted hazard ratio for death and a higher likelihood of kidney transplant waitlisting. NYU Langone News
• [New] GLP-1 receptor agonists were associated with a lower mortality risk for dialysis patients with type 2 diabetes. NYU Langone News
• [New] GLP-1 injections will cost $350 a month for people buying directly through TrumpRx, starting mid-2026. Economic Times
• [New] Lilly has said it will sell a starter dose of Zepbound for $299 a month and additional doses at up to $449. KARE
• [New] The initial dose of any future FDA-approved oral GLP-1 drugs will be priced at $150 per month from either manufacturer on TrumpRX. AJMC
• Novo's primary semaglutide patent is set to expire in 2026 in Canada and China. Medical News Today
• Eli Lilly's high-profile obesity treatment tirzepatide and its potential oral GLP-1 counterpart, orforglipron, if approved, will see monthly prices drop from more than $1080 to an average of $346 when purchased through TrumpRx. AJMC
• A US-wide trial will test whether tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound, may be an effective treatment for people with long Covid. Wired
• An estimated 10% of Medicare beneficiaries will be eligible for expanded access to GLP-1 drugs, and will only pay $50. BBC News
• The Medicare price for GLP-1 drugs will be offered through a pilot program that will cover most beneficiaries. Healthcare Dive
• Novo's once-daily oral Wegovy is under U.S. FDA review with a decision expected in late 2025, while Lilly's orforglipron is set for regulatory submission by the end of 2025 and a potential launch in 2026. Global News
• WeightWatchers intends to offer Novo Nordisk's pill version of Wegovy if it makes its US debut in 2026 following potential FDA approval. Pharmaceutical Commerce
• Semaglutide therapy reduced incidence of any stroke when compared to a placebo through significant reductions in risk of small-vessel occlusion in a post hoc analysis of the SUSTAIN 6 and PIONEER 6 trials. PubMed Central (PMC)
• If the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approve a Wegovy pill, or similar oral drugs, initial doses will sell at $150 a month. Medical Economics
• GLP-1 drugs Wegovy, Zepbound will have lower prices and be covered by Medicare. Medical Economics
• In 2025, significant regulatory changes are anticipated, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rules under increased PBMs scrutiny that will closely examine pharmacy benefit managers in relation to GLP-1 drugs such as Ozempic. HotBot
• A smaller proportion of patients receiving cagrilintide-semaglutide were at intermediate-to-high risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease over the next 10 years. touchCARDIO
• Novo Nordisk could get the greenlight for oral Wegovy before Eli Lilly's orforglipron as it submitted its application to the US Food and Drug Administration earlier. Clinical Trials Arena
• America is about to enter a new era of GLP-1 drugs: Eli Lilly is expected to imminently submit an application to the FDA requesting approval to sell a new GLP-1 pill for weight loss. The Atlantic
• Trump's remarks and other officials seem to say that Medicare will be opened up to GLP-1 coverage for obesity alone. The Healthcare Labyrinth

Last updated: 29 November 2025