STAT+: Maryland state affordability board places a price cap on Ozempic

STAT PlusPharmalot Maryland state affordability board places a price cap on Ozempic By January, the monthly price of the diabetes drug will be capped at $274 a month Manage alerts for this article Email this article Share this article By Ed SilvermanMay 18, 2026 Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman[email protected]Ed Silverman, a senior writer and Pharmalot columnist at STAT, has been covering the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. The Maryland Prescription Drug Affordability Board agreed to set an upper payment limit for the Ozempic diabetes treatment, marking the second time that the state panel has taken such a step in recent weeks. The board, which is designed to function like a state utility commission, will now oversee a process to lower the cost of the type 2 diabetes medicine for the state and local governments by January 2027. At the time, the price will be capped at $274 for a 30-day supply, a move the board estimates will save $5.8 million a year.Advertisement The expected cost was benchmarked against the maximum fair price paid by Medicare, said Andrew York, executive director of the Maryland board. Meanwhile, the board is expected to begin acting in 2028 to set upper payment limits on high-cost drugs purchased by all Marylanders in the commercial insurance market as well. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in Monthly $39 Totals $468 per year $39/month Get Started Totals $468 per year Starter $30 for 3 months, then $399/year $30 for 3 months Get Started Then $399/year Annual $399 Save 15% $399/year Get Started Save 15% 11+ Users Custom Savings start at 25%! Request A Quote Request A Quote Savings start at 25%! 2-10 Users $300 Annually per user $300/year Get Started $300 Annually per user View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Log In chronic diseases, diabetes, drug pricing, Pharmaceuticals, Policy, STAT+ Submit a correction requestReprints Ed Silverman Pharmalot Columnist, Senior Writer Ed Silverman, a senior writer and Pharmalot columnist at STAT, has been covering the pharmaceutical industry for nearly three decades. He is also the author of the morning Pharmalittle newsletter and the afternoon Pharmalot newsletter. Newsletter Understand how science, health policy, and medicine shape the world every day Recommended Breaking News May 18, 2026 STAT Plus: White House taps Amazon, GoodRx, and Mark Cuban to bolster TrumpRx Insurance May 18, 2026 STAT Plus: Trump’s CMS to allow skimpier plans on ACA exchanges Advertisement Health Care Inc. Newsletter May 18, 2026 STAT Plus: Why the WakeMed – Atrium Health hospital merger matters The Readout May 18, 2026 STAT Plus: AstraZeneca picks up FDA approval for hypertension drug The Readout May 15, 2026 STAT Plus: A political contest in the U.K. could shake up drug pricing Subscriber Picks