Costco to sell Ozempic and Wegovy to members for $499 a month in new prescription program
Costco will offer members a four-week supply of Ozempic and Wegovy for $499 through its Member Prescription Program, allowing members with a valid prescription to pay a set out-of-pocket price for these high-demand GLP‑1 medications.
- Fixed price: Wegovy and Ozempic available to Costco members for $499 per four-week supply via the Costco Member Prescription Program (Costco).
- Who qualifies: Available to Costco members with a valid prescription; Executive members using a Costco Citi card may receive an additional 2% back (Reported).
- How it works: Fill in person at participating Costco pharmacies or order online through the CMPP; the price applies to out-of-pocket purchases and does not replace insurance.
What Costco is offering and how it works
Costco’s Member Prescription Program (CMPP) lets members buy GLP-1 medications Wegovy and Ozempic at a set price of $499 for a four-week (one-month) supply. The company lists Wegovy in its Member Prescription Program information online (Costco).
The discount applies whether a member fills a prescription at a local Costco pharmacy or places an order through Costco’s online pharmacy portal. Costco emphasizes the CMPP is a discount program, not an insurance product. That means the $499 price applies when members pay out of pocket and does not apply to insurance co-pays or supplant public program coverage (Costco).
Why the move matters: price and access
The $499 price is notable because many U.S. patients have faced high out-of-pocket costs for GLP‑1 drugs used for weight loss and diabetes. Media coverage indicates this Costco price is roughly half of typical out-of-pocket charges in many areas (Reported).
Novo Nordisk has set a $499 price point for direct online purchases and that same four-week price has been reported at other retailers such as CVS and Walmart, effectively creating a new retail benchmark (Reported).
How to buy at Costco
Members must bring a valid prescription to a participating Costco pharmacy to receive the CMPP price. The program is available at in-person Costco pharmacies and through the online member prescription portal. Executive members using the Costco Citi credit card may receive an additional 2% benefit on eligible purchases, which could lower the net cost for some shoppers (Costco; Reported).
A closer look at the drugs: GLP-1 receptor agonists
Wegovy and Ozempic are GLP‑1 receptor agonists. Wegovy is approved specifically for weight loss; Ozempic is approved for type 2 diabetes and is used off-label for weight loss. These weekly injectable medicines work by reducing appetite and slowing digestion and have shown substantial effectiveness for many patients (Reported).
Safety, eligibility and physician oversight
Prescriptions are required and medical professionals must determine whether these drugs are safe and appropriate. Side effects commonly include gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. Less common but more serious adverse events can occur. Experts stress these drugs should be used under medical supervision and as part of a broader treatment plan that may include lifestyle changes (Reported).
“These medications require physician oversight and are not appropriate for everyone; follow medical guidance.”
Why the CMPP could reduce risky behavior
A transparent, lower retail price at Costco may reduce incentives for people to seek unregulated or counterfeit drugs online or in informal markets. The CMPP provides a legitimate, member-focused path to access these medications at a lower price than many out-of-pocket alternatives, but prescriptions and medical guidance remain necessary (Reported).
Who benefits and who may still face barriers
The program will help Costco members who can pay out of pocket, especially those whose insurance does not cover GLP‑1 drugs or who face high copays or prior authorization hurdles. However, people on Medicare, Medicaid, or those unable to afford $499 per month will still face access barriers. Clinical eligibility remains a factor: not every patient will qualify for a prescription.
Costco, Novo Nordisk and other retailers
Media reports indicate Novo Nordisk set a $499 four-week price for direct consumer sales and appears to be coordinating pricing across retailers. The same $499 price reportedly appears at CVS and Walmart. Costco’s move places it among major retail pharmacies offering the new price under member discount programs or direct sales (Reported).
Implications for the Inland Empire
Economic impact
The Inland Empire (Riverside and San Bernardino counties) has many residents who pay out of pocket or have high-deductible plans. A $499 monthly price at nearby Costco pharmacies could lower monthly prescription spending for some who shop at Costco or can access the online pharmacy. Local Costco warehouses likely will carry the program (Costco).
Health system impact
Easier access at a predictable cost may increase patients seeking assessment for obesity and related conditions, potentially straining appointment availability but prompting more discussions about long-term weight management and comprehensive care.
Political and policy context
For policymakers and advocates in the Inland Empire, the CMPP raises questions about whether public programs should expand coverage for costly but effective medicines and whether lower retail prices will prompt insurers or lawmakers to change coverage rules.
Social effects
Visible, lower prices may reduce stigma and encourage clinically supervised options over risky online purchases. Still, $499 monthly remains a major expense for many households, and access depends on income, transportation and clinical eligibility (Costco).
Practical steps for Inland Empire residents
- Check membership: Confirm your Costco membership status and whether your local warehouse pharmacy participates (Costco).
- Talk to your doctor: Discuss whether Wegovy or Ozempic is clinically appropriate; prescriptions and medical oversight are required (Reported).
- Compare costs: If insurance does not cover these drugs, compare the $499 CMPP price with direct Novo Nordisk purchases or local retailers (Reported).
- Watch for updates: Costco and manufacturers may change availability, eligibility, or pricing; check the CMPP page for the latest details (Costco).
Questions still to be answered
Unclear elements include how broadly the $499 price will be rolled out across all Costco pharmacies, how supply constraints might affect availability in high-demand areas, and whether insurers will change coverage in response to the new retail price. Local health systems and consumer advocates will monitor program effects on demand and access in the Inland Empire (Costco; Reported).
