STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re reading about a Lilly weight loss trial, TrumpRx shortcomings, and more
Why it matters: A new diabetes drug offers hope for weight loss, while a US initiative struggles to deliver on drug price promises.
- Eli Lilly's investigational drug, retatrutide, demonstrated a 1.9% reduction in HbA1C and a 15.3% weight loss in diabetic patients, similar to their popular drug Mounjaro, suggesting high potential for those with diabetes and obesity.
- TrumpRx.gov is failing to consistently offer lower drug prices, with Reuters finding that 33% of its 54 listed drugs are more expensive than in the UK, including common medications like Pfizer’s Xeljanz and AstraZeneca’s Farxiga.
- The UK's National Health Service sets drug prices through cost-control agreements, resulting in significantly cheaper prices for some medications (67%-82% less) compared to TrumpRx.gov, where patients pay a standard prescription charge of about $13.19 unless exempt.
Eli Lilly's investigational drug, retatrutide, shows significant promise for diabetes patients, achieving substantial reductions in blood sugar and weight, even for those with obesity, a group that typically struggles with weight loss on other treatments. However, the TrumpRx.gov website, designed to lower drug prices, is falling short, with Reuters reporting that a third of its listed medications are more expensive than in the UK, highlighting ongoing challenges in drug affordability.
