Walgreens is wading into the self-pay GLP-1 space, going head-to-head with telehealth subscription offerings.
The retail pharmacy giant launched a digital weight management service to offer access to personalized, clinician-guided support for weight loss. The service expands Walgreens’ virtual healthcare platform and provides patients with access to licensed doctors and nurse practitioners, FDA-approved medication options and ongoing virtual support, according to the company in a press release.
Virtual visits through the weight management service cost $49 with no requirement for a monthly subscription. The program, currently available in 28 states, is intended for eligible overweight and obese adults ages 18-64 who plan to self-pay for their GLP-1 medication.
As part of the new program, eligible patients can complete an online video visit with a licensed doctor or nurse practitioner who evaluates their health history, weight-related goals and medical needs. Providers may prescribe FDA-approved GLP-1 medications for weight loss for eligible overweight or obese patients. The program offers on-demand follow-up visits via chat or video for medication adjustments and side effect management for extended hours seven days a week.
“Expanding our virtual healthcare platform to include weight management is part of our ongoing commitment to listening to patients and the services they want from their local pharmacy,” said Rick Gates, chief pharmacy officer at Walgreens, in a statement. “By combining trusted clinical expertise with the reach of our digital and pharmacy network, we’re helping eligible patients take meaningful steps toward better health, on their own terms.”
Through Walgreens' Rx Savings Finder tool, the weight management program will offer Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy (semaglutide) at significantly reduced out-of-pocket prices: 1.5-mg or 4-mg tablets starting at $149 per month and $199 for injectables.
Walgreens is launching the new program as demand for weight loss drugs continues to grow. According to the 2025 KFF Employer Health Benefits survey, about 1 in 5 (19%) of large firms offering health benefits say they cover costly GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy for weight loss in 2025. A majority (57%) say they do not cover such drugs for weight loss.
Among the biggest firms, those with at least 5,000 workers, 43% now say they cover GLP-1 drugs for weight loss in their largest plan, up from 28% in 2024.