At a Glance
- GLP-1 drugs become cheaper and easier to access in 2026.
- First oral GLP-1 pills approved; injections remain but with new options.
- New high-potency injection retatrutide shows 29% weight loss.
- Why it matters: Patients and providers will have more affordable, needle-free and more effective choices.
In 2026, the landscape of weight-loss medications is set to shift dramatically as oral GLP-1 pills receive approval, new high-potency injections show record weight loss, and cash-pay programs expand affordability.
Dr. Christopher McGowan said:
> “The GLP-1 landscape is expected to broaden significantly.”
Oral GLP-1 Pills: A Game Changer
Last month, Novo Nordisk secured FDA approval for the Wegovy pill, and a second pill from Eli Lilly is expected later this year.
The Wegovy pill’s lowest dose is priced at $149 per month for cash pay, compared with $349 for the injection.
Patients must take the pill every morning on an empty stomach, a strict schedule that studies show improves results.
- Oral administration eliminates needles.
- Lower monthly cost than injections.
- Requires strict morning schedule for best efficacy.
Dr. Shauna Levy said:
> “With so much product in the market, I hope the competition will further reduce prices.”
Retatrutide: The Strongest Injection Yet
Lilly’s experimental retatrutide, a weekly injection targeting GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon, delivered an average 29% weight loss in Phase 3 trials.
However, the highest dose saw an 18.2% dropout rate versus 4% for placebo, higher than the 6.2% seen with Zepbound.
Dr. Christopher McGowan remarked that these numbers were “simply not possible just a few years ago.”
Dr. Christopher McGowan warned:
> “More is not always better.”
| Drug | Average Weight Loss | Dropout Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Retatrutide (high dose) | 29% | 18.2% |
| Zepbound (high dose) | ~24% | 6.2% |
| Wegovy injection | ~15% | 4% |
Cash-Pay and Self-Pay Options Expand Access
Cash-pay programs such as LillyDirect, NovoCare Pharmacy, Costco, Walmart, and the upcoming TrumpRx platform lower monthly costs.
The TrumpRx site is projected to bring average injection costs down to $350, falling to $250 in two years, while the Wegovy pill could start at $149.
Dr. Susan Spratt cautioned that discounts “are still quite expensive.”
- LillyDirect offers cash discounts on Zepbound.
- NovoCare Pharmacy provides discounted Wegovy for cash payers.
- Costco sells Wegovy and Ozempic for $499 a month for cash pay.
- Walmart offers a similar discount for Zepbound.
- TrumpRx connects patients to drugmakers’ discount websites.
Dr. Daniela Hurtado Andrade said:
> “Even $149 a month for some is still too expensive.”
Key Takeaways
- Oral GLP-1 pills provide a needle-free, lower-cost option starting at $149 per month.
- Retatrutide shows unprecedented 29% weight loss but higher dropout rates.
- Cash-pay and self-pay programs may bring injection costs to $250-$350 monthly.
With oral pills, a record-breaking injection, and a suite of discount options, 2026 promises greater access and choice for people seeking weight-loss treatment.
