Annika Kim Constantino

Medicare will start covering obesity drugs for the first time, which could open access to millions of seniors and spur more private insurers to follow suit.

The monthly out-of-pocket cost of popular injections and upcoming pills could range from $50 to $350, depending on the dosage and insurance coverage.

The deals are among the most politically significant announcements to date in the Trump administration's efforts to rein in high U.S. drug costs.

The highest dose of Eli Lilly's weekly injection helped patients with obesity or who are overweight lose 20.1% of their body weight on average at 48 weeks.

The announcement expands the offerings under the company's weight management program as its membership grows to more than 800,000.

Pfizer and Novo Nordisk are in a takeover clash over the obesity biotech Metsera, while some House Republicans warm to extending tax credits.

Pfizer hiked its full-year profit guidance, citing its strong business performance and cost cuts, even as sales for the period fell.

The clash reflects the shifting landscape for weight loss and diabetes drugs, with Novo Nordisk trailing Eli Lilly as companies like Pfizer race to break in.

The suit escalates a battle between Pfizer and Novo Nordisk over Metsera, whose obesity pipeline could yield new competitors in the weight loss drug market.

Competition is heating up, but questions remain about insurance coverage, drug pricing, copycat drugs and the role of pills in the space.