Ozempic is in the next round of Medicare drug price negotiations. See the full list of 15 medications

Nbcwashington · Jan 17, 2025 · 1930 words · By Annika Kim Constantino; CNBC

Pharmaceutical Industry vs. Government Regulation Political Transition (Biden to Trump) Healthcare Affordability

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What to know about Pharmaceutical Industry vs. Government Regulation

- The Biden administration unveiled the next 15 prescription drugs that will be subject to price negotiations between manufacturers and Medicare.

Claims checked 40

Techniques found 2

Topics 3

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center88%

Right12%

8 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

- The Biden administration unveiled the next 15 prescription drugs that will be subject to price negotiations between manufacturers and Medicare.

Why it matters

- It kicks off the second phase of a landmark provision in the Inflation Reduction Act that aims to make costly medications more affordable for seniors.

Common ground

- At the top of the list is Novo Nordisk's blockbuster diabetes injection Ozempic, weight loss shot Wegovy and diabetes pill Rybelsus, which are considered one product since they all share the same active ingredient, semaglutide.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Glittering Generalities: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Pharmaceutical Industry vs. Government Regulation story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act gave Medicare the power to directly hash out drug prices with manufacturers for the first time in the federal program's nearly 60-year history?
How does this story connect Pharmaceutical Industry vs. Government Regulation with Political Transition (Biden to Trump) over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/business/money-report/ozempic-is-in-the-next-…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning

Loaded Language 80% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Glittering Generalities 70% confidence

Using vague, emotionally appealing phrases ('freedom', 'justice') without specifics.

Why it matters: Recognizing glittering generalities helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 40 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 30

check_circle Corroborated 7

help Insufficient Evidence 2

verified Verified By Reference 1

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Claim 1: “President Joe Biden's Inflation Reduction Act gave Medicare the power to directly hash out drug prices with manufacturers for the first time in the federal program's nearly 60-year history.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 2: “Pomalyst, made by Bristol Myers Squibb, is used to treat a blood cancer called multiple myeloma and a cancer that develops in people with HIV”

CORROBORATED

Web search results confirm Pomalyst (by Bristol Myers Squibb) is used for multiple myeloma and AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma (a cancer that develops in people with HIV).

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — POMALYST is used in combination with another medicine called 'dexamethasone' (steroid medicine) to treat adult patients diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (MM) (a cancer of the bone marrow). It is prescr…
https://medsinfo.com.au/consumer-information/document/Pomaly…

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web search NEUTRAL — [DATE] Bristol Myers Squibb is pleased to announce that POMALYST has a new indication related to Kaposi sarcoma:1 1. For the treatment of patients with AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma after failure of hig…
https://www.accc-cancer.org/docs/ossn-network/industry-news-…

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web search NEUTRAL — Pomalyst (Pomalidomide Capsules) may treat, side effects, dosage, drug interactions, warnings, patient labeling, reviews, and related medications including drug comparison and health resources.
https://www.rxlist.com/pomalyst-drug.htm

help

Claim 3: “Ibrance, made by Pfizer, is used to treat certain breast cancers”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided in the search results to verify the manufacturer or use of Ibrance.

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Claim 4: “Medicare has already completed negotiations for the first 10 drugs selected in the program, with new prices set to go into effect next year.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 5: “Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus, (semaglutide,) made by Novo Nordisk, is used for Type 2 diabetes, weight management, and cardiovascular health”

CORROBORATED

Web search results and Wikipedia confirm semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus) is used for type 2 diabetes, weight loss, and cardiovascular disease.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Novo Nordisk employs more than 48,000 people globally, and markets its products in 168 countries. [6] The corporation was created in 1989, through a merger of two Danish companies, which date back to …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novo_Nordisk

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Novo is an online business banking platform with no hidden fees built for small business owners. Apply for a free Novo checking account.
https://app.novo.co/login

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Aug 4, 2026 · Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat diabetes and other serious chronic diseases.
https://www.novonordisk.com/

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Claim 6: “The government also expects the prices to lead to around $6 billion in net savings for the Medicare program in 2026, or 22% net savings overall.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 7: “The drugs have been on the market for at least seven years without generic competitors, or 11 years in the case of biological products such as vaccines.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 8: “It kicks off the second phase of a landmark provision in the Inflation Reduction Act”

CORROBORATED

Web search results link the announcement of these 15 drugs to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and describe it as an expansion or second round following the initial phase.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Affordable Insulin Now Act is a bill in the United States Congress intended to cap out-of-pocket insulin prices under private health insurance and Medicare at no more than $35 per month. The bill …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affordable_Insulin_Now_Act

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — In economics, inflation is an increase in the average price of goods and services in terms of money, though it originally referred to the increase of the money supply (monetary inflation) that can cau…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflation

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA), Pub. L. 117–169 (text) (PDF), is a United States federal law which aimed to reduce the federal government budget deficit, lower prescription drug prices, and…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflation_Reduction_Act

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 9: “The number rises to 20 negotiated medications a year starting in 2029.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 10: “Nearly 2.3 million enrollees used those drugs during the time period CMS used.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 11: “The plan also spent roughly $5.14 billion on Trelegy Ellipta, which was used by 1.3 million enrollees.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

help

Claim 12: “Ofev, made by Boehringer Ingelheim, is used to treat chronic lung diseases in adults.”

INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

No evidence was provided in the search results to verify the manufacturer or use of Ofev.

schedule

Claim 13: “The group of medicines also accounted for roughly $41 billion, or 14%, of total Part D prescription drug costs during that time period”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 14: “Spending for Pomalyst was $2.07 billion, and just 14,000 enrollees used that drug.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 15: “Calquence, made by AstraZeneca, is used to treat certain types of blood cancer”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 16: “After the second round concludes, Medicare can negotiate prices for another 15 drugs that will go into effect in 2028.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 17: “Linzess, made by AbbVie and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals, is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome and chronic constipation”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

check_circle

Claim 18: “At the top of the list is Novo Nordisk's blockbuster diabetes injection Ozempic, weight loss shot Wegovy and diabetes pill Rybelsus, which are considered one product since they all share the same active ingredient, semaglutide.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources explicitly state that Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus are treated as one product because they share the active ingredient semaglutide.

menu_book

wikipedia NEUTRAL — Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, also known as GLP-1 agonists, GLP-1RAs, and informally as simply GLP-1s, are a class of medications that activate the GLP-1 receptor, causing reduced…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GLP-1_receptor_agonist

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Novo Nordisk A/S is a Danish multinational pharmaceutical company headquartered in Bagsværd. Novo Nordisk is controlled by majority shareholder Novo Holdings A/S (wholly owned by the Novo Nordisk Foun…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Novo_Nordisk

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Semaglutide is an anti-diabetic medication used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and an anti-obesity medication used for weight management. It can be administered by subcutaneous injection or tak…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semaglutide

+ 3 more evidence sources

schedule

Claim 19: “Otezla, made by Amgen, is used to treat plaque psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, and oral ulcers”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 20: “If a drugmaker declines to negotiate, it must either pay an excise tax of up to 95% of its medication's U.S. sales or pull all of its products from the Medicare and Medicaid markets.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 21: “When combined with the 10 medications selected for the first cycle of negotiations, the 25 products represent 36% of all Medicare Part D prescription drug costs during that time period”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

verified

Claim 22: “Trelegy Ellipta, made by GSK, is an inhaler used for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Wikipedia explicitly confirms that Trelegy Ellipta is a fixed-dose combination inhaled medication used for the maintenance treatment of COPD (and is known to be used for asthma in clinical practice).

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Fluticasone furoate, sold under the brand name Flonase Sensimist among others, is a corticosteroid for the treatment of non-allergic and allergic rhinitis administered by a nasal spray. It is also ava…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluticasone_furoate

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium bromide/vilanterol, sold under the brand name Trelegy Ellipta among others, is a fixed-dose combination inhaled medication that is used for the maintenance treatment o…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fluticasone_furoate/umeclidini…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Umeclidinium bromide, sold under the brand name Incruse Ellipta among others, is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist approved for the maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CO…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Umeclidinium_bromide

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 23: “Medicare Part D spent the least on Otezla at $995 million, with 31,000 enrollees who used that medication”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 24: “Janumet, Janumet XR, made by Merck, is used to manage Type 2 diabetes”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 25: “Vraylar, made by AbbVie, is used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar I disorder, and major depressive disorder”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 26: “Drugmakers will have until Feb. 28 to decide whether to participate in the program.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 27: “Tradjenta, made by Boehringer Ingelheim and Eli Lilly, is used for Type 2 diabetes management”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 28: “The agreed-upon prices for the second wave of drugs are scheduled to go into effect in 2027.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources explicitly state that the negotiated prices for this second wave of drugs will take effect in 2027.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Medicare is a federal health insurance program in the United States for people age 65 or older and younger people with disabilities, including those with end stage renal disease and amyotrophic latera…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_(United_States)

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act, also called the Medicare Modernization Act or MMA, is a federal law of the United States, enacted in 2003. It produced the largest o…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_Prescription_Drug,_Im…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Medicare for All Act (abbreviated M4A), also known as the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act or United States National Health Care Act, is a bill first introduced in the United States Hous…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicare_for_All_Act

+ 3 more evidence sources

check_circle

Claim 29: “Xtandi, made by Pfizer and Astellas Pharma, is used to treat prostate cancer in men”

CORROBORATED

Multiple web sources confirm Xtandi is produced by Pfizer and Astellas Pharma and is used to treat prostate cancer in men.

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — XTANDI treats 4 different types of advanced prostate cancer. Having information about these types of advanced prostate cancer and their progression could help you take an active role in decisions abou…
https://astellas-pfizer.com/understanding-prostate-cancer

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — XTANDI® (from Pfizer and Astellas Pharma) is used to treat men with prostate cancer. How it works: Prostate cancer is a type of cancer that develops in the prostate, a small gland in the male reproduc…
https://www.secerna.com/insights/news/a-to-z-drugs-in-highli…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, with about 164,000 expected diagnoses in the United States this year. Castration-resistant prostate cancer refers to the subset of me…
https://www.biospace.com/unique-astellas-pfizer-s-prostate-c…

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Claim 30: “Xtandi cost Medicare Part D $3.16 billion despite only 35,000 enrollees using the medication”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 31: “Medicare covers roughly 66 million people in the U.S., and 50.5 million patients are currently enrolled in Part D plans”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 32: “Austedo, Austedo XR, made by Teva Pharmaceuticals, is used to treat involuntary movements caused by tardive dyskinesia or Huntington's disease”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 33: “Xifaxan, made by Salix Pharmaceuticals, is used to treat diarrhea caused by traveling or irritable bowel syndrome”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 34: “Breo Ellipta, made by GSK and Theravance, is an inhaler used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 35: “The government will only select Medicare Part D drugs for the first two round of negotiations. It will add more specialized medications covered by Medicare Part B... in 2028.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 36: “About 5.3 million people with Medicare Part D coverage used the 15 drugs in the second round of talks... between Nov. 1, 2023, and Oct. 31, 2024”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

schedule

Claim 37: “the Biden administration said it expects those negotiated prices to save Medicare enrollees around $1.5 billion in out-of-pocket costs in 2026 alone.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 38: “The Biden administration unveiled the next 15 prescription drugs that will be subject to price negotiations between manufacturers and Medicare.”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent web search results confirm that the Biden administration announced a second round of 15 prescription drugs for Medicare price negotiations.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — A presidential debate between incumbent United States president Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump took place on June 27, 2024. At the time of the debate, Biden was the presumptive nominee fo…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Joe_Biden–Donald_Trump_pr…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. (born November 20, 1942) is an American former politician who was the 46th president of the United States from 2021 to 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Biden

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+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 39: “The first optional negotiation meetings will take place after Medicare makes its initial price offers for the 15 drugs, which must be presented by June 1.”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

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Claim 40: “Medicare Part D spent the most on Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy, at $14.43 billion”

PENDING

This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.