To contextualize this: After this "slash" it is still more expensive in the US ($499/month) than any other Western country by triple or more, even unsubsidized.

- Japan/Canada/Switzerland: $150~ USD/month

- Germany/Netherlands: $100~ USD/month

- UK/Sweden/Australia: $90~ USD/month

- France: $80~ USD/month

So when people blame insurance for stuff being expensive, just remember this is straight from the pharma to your front door with zero insurance/PBMs and they're still charging the US 3x+ more than other Western countries.

The main reason why is that other countries won't allow drugs to be sold AT ALL in their markets without negotiating drug prices, regardless of buyer (e.g. private, government, individual). The US doesn't do this.

Semaglutide is cheap to make, and most of the research 20~ years old. The biggest costs come from auto injector pens which aren't required for safe effective delivery (just ask diabetics pre-2015).