Eli Lilly announced on Tuesday the release of a new, more affordable form of its weight loss drug, Zepbound, aimed at reaching millions of uninsured patients, including those on Medicare. The move is designed to expand the availability of Zepbound in the U.S. amid rising demand and to ensure that patients have access to the legitimate treatment as cheaper, unregulated versions gain popularity.
The company is offering 2.5-milligram and 5-milligram single-dose vials of Zepbound for $399 and $549 per month, respectively, through its direct-to-consumer website. Patients typically begin treatment with a 2.5-milligram dose, gradually increasing to maintenance doses to sustain weight loss. This price point is significantly lower than the $1,000 monthly list price of Zepbound and similar weight loss drugs, like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy.
Zepbound and other medications in the GLP-1 class, which mimic gut hormones to reduce appetite and regulate blood sugar, have become blockbusters in the weight loss market. The newly released single-dose vials require patients to use a syringe and needle, unlike the more convenient single-dose autoinjector pens. However, Eli Lilly notes that the vials are easier to manufacture, potentially increasing the drug’s supply.
The lower-priced vials will benefit patients who pay out of pocket, particularly those on Medicare or employer-sponsored plans that do not cover obesity treatments. Medicare beneficiaries are not eligible for Eli Lilly’s savings card programs, which offer discounts for Zepbound.
Eli Lilly is partnering with Gifthealth, a digital pharmacy, to process prescriptions and deliver the vials directly to patients through its LillyDirect website. The company emphasizes that this direct-to-consumer approach eliminates third-party markups, providing transparent pricing for patients. Additionally, it ensures that patients receive genuine Zepbound, safeguarding against the risks posed by counterfeit or unregulated alternatives.
