(NewsNation) — Popular GLP-1 prescription medications Ozempic and Wegovy will now be available at Costco for $499 a month.
The company that makes Ozempic and Wegovy, Novo Nordisk, announced Friday that the injectable pens will be sold at Costco pharmacies for a monthly out-of-pocket cost of $499. For Costco members who have insurance, the price will vary.
The medications are already available for $499 on Novo Nordisk’s direct-to-consumer website, and the same deal is offered through CVS and Walmart, as reported by NBC News.
Semaglutide pill works for significant weight loss, study finds
The announcement comes as GLP-1 weight loss medications gain popularity and more Americans turn to copycat versions due to high prices and shortages.
“We want to make sure we offer the real, authentic Wegovy and Ozempic where patients seek care,” David Moore, Nova Nordisk’s U.S. president, told NBC News.
Novo Nordisk previously said Wegovy has more than 200,000 weekly prescriptions in the U.S., as reported by NewsNation affiliate The Hill.
How long should GLP-1 medications be taken for?
Ozempic and Wegovy are injectable medications used for weight loss and the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. There is no specific time frame for how long patients should take these medications.
According to GoodRx, it takes approximately four to five weeks for Ozempic to reach a steady level in the body and at least eight weeks to reduce glucose levels significantly. It may take weeks or even months for noticeable weight loss to occur.
Close to one in five people with commercial insurance don’t have access to at least one brand-name GLP-1 medication for weight loss, Good Rx reported earlier this year.
Ozempic teeth: Dentists warn of new GLP-1 side effect
Costco previously sold Ozempic
Costco members previously had access to Ozempic, but for a much higher price.
In April 2024, Costco began selling access to three-month prescriptions of Ozempic for $179; however, this didn’t cover the cost of the medication itself, which at the time could cost well over $1,000 a month for people without insurance.
NewsNation affiliate The Hill contributed to this report.
