Former President Trump’s recent executive order on drug prices has been met with skepticism, but it’s the anecdote he shared during the signing that’s captured public attention. Trump recounted a conversation with an unnamed, “seriously overweight,” and “brilliant businessman” who complained about the exorbitant price difference for a weight-loss drug between London ($88) and New York ($1,300). This story immediately ignited speculation about the individual’s identity.
The AI’s Guess and the Price Discrepancy
Social media users quickly turned to AI chatbot Grok for answers. Grok pointed to Elon Musk, citing his public acknowledgment of using weight-loss medications like Ozempic and his frequent international travel. While Grok acknowledged that the “seriously overweight” descriptor didn’t perfectly align with Musk’s public image, it emphasized the possibility of exaggeration in Trump’s storytelling.
Musk has indeed confirmed using Mounjaro, a GLP-1 inhibitor similar to Ozempic, originally designed for type 2 diabetes management but now widely used for weight loss. This revelation adds fuel to the speculation surrounding Trump’s anecdote.
The Stark Reality of Drug Pricing
Regardless of the mystery person’s identity, the anecdote highlights a significant issue: the dramatic price difference for weight-loss drugs like Ozempic between the US and other countries. This disparity has been a subject of debate and scrutiny.
Last year, Senator Bernie Sanders questioned Novo Nordisk’s president, Doug Langa, about the staggering $1,349 monthly cost of Ozempic in the US compared to just $92 in the UK. Sanders condemned the price gouging as a “profound moral issue” and pointed out that generic versions could be produced for under $100 per month.
A Call for Action on Drug Prices
While Trump’s executive order aims to lower drug prices, its effectiveness remains uncertain. Sanders’s Congressional hearing, however, resulted in a commitment from Novo Nordisk’s CEO to collaborate with pharmacy benefit managers to reduce Ozempic’s cost for Americans. This tangible outcome underscores the need for concrete action to address the issue of inflated drug prices and make these essential medications more accessible. Trump’s anecdote, regardless of its protagonist, has served as a stark reminder of this pressing concern.
Trump’s executive order can be found here.
