Costco just made a move that could make GLP-1 treatment more accessible for its members. The retailer is now offering Ozempic and Wegovy for $499 a month through its Member Prescription Program in partnership with Novo Nordisk. The deal gives members a way to buy semaglutide without insurance at about half the usual retail price. With Ozempic’s list price around $935 and Wegovy’s about $1,349, the flat $499 rate puts these weight-loss drugs within closer reach for people whose insurance plans exclude weight management coverage.
While the $499 price isn’t exclusive to Costco (it matches Novo Nordisk’s self-pay program through NovoCare) it brings that lower-cost option to a familiar retail setting. It also provides an accessible, branded alternative for people who prefer to get semaglutide directly from the manufacturer rather than a compounded version. Critics of compounded alternatives say they are not FDA approved and can vary in purity or potency. For many, purchasing a legitimate pen from a trusted pharmacy chain may feel like a safer, more reliable choice.
Even with this price drop, GLP-1s remain some of the most expensive medications in the United States. Similar drugs cost a fraction of the price in other countries, but complex rebate systems and outdated insurance classifications that deem obesity treatments “lifestyle drugs.” While $499 a month isn’t cheap, it gives patients a clear and consistent way to access authentic Ozempic or Wegovy without insurance barriers.
