Sydney Lupkin

Novo Nordisk launched its obesity pill in early January.

Compounded drugs are made with the same active ingredients as brand name versions, but by specialized pharmacies, not drug companies.

They're not generics and haven't been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

Traditionally, compounding pharmacies make customized drugs for people who may need them because they're allergic to an ingredient in the brand name version, for example.

Novo Nordisk says it will take legal action against HIMS's copy.

Sydney Lepkin, NPR News.

TrumpRx.gov launched Thursday with discounts on several dozen brand-name drugs.

The savings range from 33% off ulcerative colitis and psoriasis pill Zeldjantz to 93% off IVF drug Cetratide.

Patients can search the website for drugs and get coupons redeemable for discounts at pharmacies.

Other discounts are available through drug makers.

Patients have to pay cash and agree not to seek insurance reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs or count them toward a deductible.

Drug policy experts have said it's unclear how many people will benefit from TrumpRx, however.

For people with insurance, copays are likely to be cheaper than the cash prices.

And some of the drugs are already available as inexpensive generics.

Sydney Lepkin, NPR News.

The administration first announced the creation of TrumpRx when it began making deals with pharmaceutical companies in the fall.

Details of the deals to lower prices aren't public, but there are now 16 agreements with companies including Pfizer, Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.

The White House says the companies agreed to offer discounts on some, but not all, drugs to consumers paying cash instead of using their health insurance.

And people will be able to find those direct-to-consumer discounts at the new government website, trumprx.gov.

Drug policy experts have said it's unclear how many people will benefit.