GoodRx and Novo Nordisk Join Forces to Make Ozempic and Wegovy More Affordable with $499 Monthly Pricing
GoodRx the leading U.S. platform for prescription savings, has announced a landmark collaboration with Novo Nordisk that will expand access to two of the most sought-after GLP-1 medications: Ozempic® (semaglutide) and Wegovy® (semaglutide). Starting today, eligible self-paying patients can purchase all strengths of both Ozempic and Wegovy pens for a fixed cost of $499 per month through GoodRx. The new pricing arrangement represents a significant reduction in cost for millions of Americans, especially those who lack adequate insurance coverage, and marks the first time Ozempic has been offered at such a price point in the self-pay market.
Meeting Surging Demand for GLP-1 Medicines
Over the past several years, GLP-1 receptor agonists such as Ozempic and Wegovy have surged in popularity due to their proven ability to help patients manage type 2 diabetes and obesity. Demand has been fueled not only by clinical effectiveness but also by increasing awareness of their role in managing chronic conditions linked to weight and metabolic health.
According to GoodRx, interest in these medications has skyrocketed. Nearly 17 million people visited GoodRx in the past year to research or seek savings on GLP-1 therapies, marking a 22% increase from the prior year. Yet despite the rising demand, affordability remains a formidable barrier. Patients without robust insurance coverage—or with plans that exclude GLP-1 medications for weight loss—have often faced out-of-pocket costs well beyond reach.
The collaboration between GoodRx and Novo Nordisk is designed to address this challenge directly, offering patients a predictable, transparent, and substantially lower monthly price that will improve access to treatment for a wide range of individuals.
Leadership Commentary on the Collaboration
Wendy Barnes, President and Chief Executive Officer of GoodRx, highlighted the importance of this development for patients nationwide.
“Demand for GLP-1 medications is at an all-time high, but too many Americans still face barriers accessing them,” Barnes said. “By partnering with Novo Nordisk, we’re taking a significant step forward in making these innovative brand-name treatments more accessible for millions of people who need them. It’s a powerful example of how the GoodRx platform can deliver savings at scale—bridging gaps in coverage and ensuring more people can get the care they deserve.”
Barnes emphasized that the GoodRx platform has become a trusted destination for millions of consumers looking for affordable ways to access prescription medications. By aligning with Novo Nordisk, GoodRx is now positioned to not only meet demand but also to help remove some of the financial obstacles that have limited patient access to GLP-1 therapies.
Dave Moore, Executive Vice President of U.S. Operations at Novo Nordisk Inc., echoed this sentiment, noting that improving access to authentic, FDA-approved medications is central to Novo Nordisk’s mission.
“Improving access to effective FDA-approved treatment is central to our mission, and our collaboration with GoodRx allows us to reach those who seek savings and support from their trusted and established platform,” Moore said. “This initiative enables us to meet GoodRx patients where they are with our authentic GLP-1 medicines in addition to supporting the launch of the new Ozempic self-pay offer for type 2 diabetes patients at an unprecedented price.”
Together, the companies see this partnership as a milestone in tackling the affordability crisis that has long surrounded these therapies.
A First for Ozempic at Self-Pay Pricing
While Wegovy has previously been available under limited pricing programs, today’s announcement marks the first time Ozempic has been made available to patients at a standardized $499-per-month self-pay rate.
Ozempic, widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes, has been life-changing for many patients, but its price has historically placed it out of reach for a large portion of the population. With the new GoodRx offer, type 2 diabetes patients will now be able to access Ozempic at a significantly reduced and predictable monthly cost. This is expected to drive wider adoption and help patients better manage their health without financial strain.
Addressing Gaps in Insurance Coverage
Insurance coverage for GLP-1 medications has remained a major hurdle for patients, particularly when prescribed for obesity rather than diabetes. Although these medicines are FDA-approved, many insurance plans either exclude them entirely from formularies or impose high co-pays that render them unaffordable.
GoodRx research underscores the scale of the issue: nearly 19 million Americans lack any coverage for GLP-1s prescribed for weight management. This leaves a substantial population facing out-of-pocket costs that can reach thousands of dollars annually, preventing them from accessing medications that could significantly improve their health outcomes.
By offering a flat $499 monthly self-pay option, GoodRx and Novo Nordisk are helping to fill these gaps in coverage. The initiative ensures that even those without insurance—or those with restrictive insurance plans—have a pathway to treatment. Importantly, the program also reduces friction in the healthcare system by accelerating patients’ speed to therapy, cutting down the delays and denials that often accompany insurance approval processes.
Nationwide Access Through Pharmacies
The collaboration will make the $499 monthly price available at more than 70,000 retail pharmacies across the United States, vastly expanding patient access points. Eligible patients can simply use GoodRx to secure the pricing and fill their prescriptions at a local participating pharmacy.
This broad accessibility is crucial for ensuring the program’s success. By leveraging GoodRx’s established network and Novo Nordisk’s supply chain, the initiative aims to create a seamless patient experience that maximizes convenience and affordability.
The Role of GoodRx in Expanding Access
Since its founding, GoodRx has been committed to addressing the affordability crisis in prescription drugs. Its platform helps millions of Americans each year find lower-cost alternatives, savings programs, and transparent pricing information.
The company’s partnership with Novo Nordisk highlights the evolving role of GoodRx beyond simply offering discount coupons. By directly collaborating with a global pharmaceutical leader, GoodRx is taking on a more active role in shaping access programs for high-demand therapies. This reflects a strategic shift for the company, enabling it to deliver savings not just through aggregated data and coupons but through innovative partnerships that fundamentally change the pricing landscape.
A Turning Point for GLP-1 Access in the U.S.
The collaboration represents more than just a pricing initiative—it signals a broader shift in how pharmaceutical access may be structured in the future.
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy are seen as game-changers in addressing the intertwined epidemics of type 2 diabetes and obesity. However, their high price tags have generated debates over affordability, insurance coverage, and health equity. By offering a consistent and significantly lower self-pay price, GoodRx and Novo Nordisk are setting a precedent for how other high-demand treatments could be made more widely accessible outside of traditional insurance frameworks.
If successful, the model could inspire similar collaborations across the pharmaceutical landscape, leading to more innovative approaches to pricing and access that directly benefit patients.
