Why Some Pay More and Some Less for Obesity Drugs: QuickTake

A new class of weight-loss drugs known as GLP-1s have proved to be game changers for people with obesity. They’re also minting billions of dollars for the pharmaceutical companies that developed them, Eli Lilly & Co. and Novo Nordisk A/S.

The high prices for these drugs along with spotty insurance coverage have left them out of reach for many Americans. That’s beginning to change, however, as Lilly and Novo offer discounted versions to patients whose insurance doesn’t cover the medications. And one major pharmacy benefit manager struck a deal with Novo that could make obesity care cheaper for health plans. ...