Weight-Loss Drug Makers Pivoted to a Trump-Centric Lobbying Strategy. It Could Pay Off Big.

The Trump administration is reportedly going to try what drugmakers have been lobbying for years to get: their weight loss medications covered by Medicare and Medicaid.

Medication Health Ozempic
Novo Nordisk, which makes Ozempic has added lobbying firms close to the administration since Trump took office in January. David J. Phillip/AP

The pharmaceutical companies behind the biggest weight-loss drugs shook up their lobbying operations during the first six months of President Donald Trump’s second term.

Last week, the companies appeared to get a sign that their strategy is working, with reports that the administration is considering covering weight-loss medication under Medicaid and Medicare.

Novo Nordisk, which makes Ozempic and Wegovy, and Lilly, the maker of Mounjaro and Zepbound formerly known as Eli Lilly, have added firms close to the administration since Trump took office in January.