Public Citizen petitioned the Trump administration to use a federal law to authorize generic competitors for GLP-1 drugs for treating obesity and diabetes, arguing that prices are “unjustifiably high” for too many Americans.
In arguing its case, the consumer advocacy group maintained that federal and state spending on the drugs — which are sold by Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly — has strained budgets. And concessions granted in recent deals with the Trump administration to make the drugs more readily available through Medicare and Medicaid are “insufficient” to widen access.
Although the proposed coverage expansion for the health care programs and a $50 per month copay for Medicare beneficiaries may improve access for some, others may not benefit. That’s because some Medicare and Medicaid plans may choose not to participate if prices for the drugs present budgetary concerns due to increased use, the petition stated.
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