Costco, the retail giant known for bulk buys and budget-friendly deals, is stepping into the health space in a big way. The chain’s pharmacies are now offering popular weight-loss and diabetes medications — Ozempic and Wegovy — at significantly reduced prices.
This move is reshaping how Americans access weight-loss treatments that have typically come with hefty costs and limited insurance coverage.
Affordable Access to High-Demand Medications
Costco’s pharmacies are filling prescriptions for Ozempic and Wegovy at $499 a month, no insurance required. Drugmaker Novo Nordisk confirmed the new pricing last week. Normally, a 28-day supply of Wegovy sells for $1,349, while Ozempic lists for about $997.58. Costco’s lower price gives patients a chance to buy brand-name medication without breaking their budget.
Other major chains like CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, and Target also sell these medications, but Costco’s move stands out because of its scale and membership model. With more than 800 warehouse locations, the company can reach a large number of customers seeking trusted, FDA-approved drugs at lower prices.
Ozempic was developed to manage type 2 diabetes and reduce heart-related risks. It also helps many patients lose weight, which led to the creation of Wegovy, a version approved specifically for obesity.
Novo Nordisk’s Executive Vice President David Moore said the partnership with Costco lets the company “meet people where they are and connect them to real, FDA-approved medicines in our premium pen devices.” Costco has not confirmed whether all pharmacy locations will carry the drugs yet, but the rollout is expanding.
A Shift in Weight-Loss Accessibility
The availability of discounted drugs at Costco comes at a time when obesity rates are rising globally, and insurance coverage for weight-loss medications remains limited. Polls from the Kaiser Family Foundation show that most health plans still exclude these treatments, leaving many patients to pay out of pocket.
Dr. Raghuveer Vedala, an obesity medicine specialist at Norman Regional Hospital in Oklahoma, explained that these medications work by helping the brain recognize fullness. They reduce what many patients describe as “food noise,” or constant hunger cues.
“Our bodies adapt to a certain set point — a weight range they try to maintain,” Vedala said. “Changing that set point takes major lifestyle effort. Sometimes, we need medication to assist in that process.”
By offering Wegovy and Ozempic at a lower price, Costco may make medical weight management accessible to people who could not afford it before.
Different Views on Weight Management
Not everyone supports the growing reliance on prescription drugs for weight management. Critics argue that people should focus on diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes instead of injections. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for example, favors wearable fitness technology as part of his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative to address chronic disease through natural methods.
Still, many doctors believe medications can play an important role. Vedala emphasized that every patient’s weight-loss journey is different.
“We have to treat weight as a vital sign,” he said. “It’s not about willpower alone. If it were just calories in versus calories out, everyone would be prescribing willpower instead.”
Addressing Safety Concerns
The growing demand for these drugs has led some patients to seek cheaper, compounded versions online. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently warned consumers that many of those alternatives are unsafe. Some are stored incorrectly, while others contain unapproved or fraudulent ingredients.
Costco’s official pricing helps reduce that risk by providing legitimate, FDA-approved options through trusted pharmacies. Customers can now buy safely, avoiding the dangers of unregulated compounded products.
How This Move Could Change the Market
By stepping into the weight-loss drug market, Costco is doing more than offering discounts — it’s reshaping how Americans access healthcare. Affordable pricing for Ozempic and Wegovy could pressure other retailers to follow suit, making vital treatments more reachable for everyday consumers.
The move also shows how major retail chains are taking a stronger role in healthcare delivery. Costco’s pharmacies now bridge convenience and care, allowing customers to fill prescriptions during their regular shopping trips.
With obesity still a major health concern, this shift could improve access to legitimate, FDA-approved medications and help more people manage chronic conditions safely. Costco’s approach blends affordability with trust, proving that health access can be both practical and patient-centered.