STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a ‘breached’ FDA firewall, an AbbVie pricing deal with Trump, and more

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Source: STAT News

Original: https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2026/01/13/fda-trump-abbvie-cvs-hiv-lilly-nvi...

Published: Tue, 13 Jan 2026 14:22:16 +0000

A veteran FDA regulator who left last month said the gate between the agency's political appointees and drug watchdogs has been breached.[1] President Donald Trump announced agreements with pharmaceutical companies Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk to cut the prices of the popular weight loss drugs Zepbound and Wegovy with drastic discounts.[1][2] These next-generation drugs have a high price tag of around US$500 (€433.54) per month at higher doses and poor insurance coverage.[1][2] Initial doses of the new pill versions will cost $149 per month if approved.[1][2] Fourteen of the 17 largest pharmaceutical companies agreed with the White House to significantly reduce drug prices in the US.[3][7] It is an attempt by the Trump administration to address voters' concerns about drug costs.[1][2] Insurance coverage for obesity drugs will be extended to Medicare patients starting next year.[2]