The High Cost of Weight-Loss Drugs: A Global Disparity

Prescription weight-loss drugs, such as Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Ozempic, cost significantly more in the United States compared to other countries. For example, Wegovy is four times more expensive in the US than in Germany and the Netherlands, while Mounjaro and Ozempic cost three times more in the US than in Japan. The high prices in the US can be attributed to the lack of universal coverage or single-payer health insurance, which limits bargaining power and efficiency. As a result, Americans are being overcharged by drug companies while other countries benefit from lower prices due to free-market economics.