Eli Lilly Releases New Form of Weight Loss Drug Zepbound at Half the Price to Boost Access and Supply
Eli Lilly has introduced a new, more affordable form of its weight loss drug Zepbound, priced at about half its usual monthly cost, to increase accessibility for patients without insurance coverage. This strategic move aims to meet the surging demand for the drug and ensure safe access to the treatment amid the rise of cheaper, potentially less reliable copycat versions.
The company now offers 2.5-milligram and 5-milligram single-dose vials of Zepbound for $399 and $549 per month, respectively, through its direct-to-consumer website. This is a significant reduction compared to the typical list prices of Zepbound and similar weight loss drugs, like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, which are around $1,000 per month before insurance and discounts. These medications, part of the GLP-1 class, help reduce appetite and regulate blood sugar by mimicking certain gut hormones.
Unlike the single-dose autoinjector pens, which allow for easy self-injection, the new vials require patients to use syringes and needles. Eli Lilly claims that vials are simpler and cheaper to manufacture than the autoinjector pens, thus increasing supply capacity. This new pricing structure benefits patients who are paying out-of-pocket or have insurance plans that do not cover obesity treatments. Medicare beneficiaries, who are ineligible for Eli Lilly’s savings card programs, will particularly benefit from this lower cost option.
Patrik Jonsson, President of Eli Lilly’s Diabetes and Obesity division, emphasized that the new pricing model ensures transparency by removing third-party markups, providing patients with predictable costs. The vials are available through LillyDirect, the company’s direct-to-consumer platform, which also collaborates with the digital pharmacy Gifthealth for prescription processing and delivery.
LillyDirect, launched in January, allows patients to order the new vials directly from the site and access instructional materials on proper administration. The platform also connects users with telehealth services for prescription needs, offering home delivery through a third-party online pharmacy.
Eli Lilly's efforts to combat counterfeit drugs are highlighted by this new initiative. The company has been actively addressing the issue of illicit versions of its medications by taking legal action against clinics and pharmacies selling unregulated copies. As all doses of Zepbound are now listed on the FDA’s drug shortage database, Eli Lilly’s move aims to ensure that patients receive genuine, FDA-approved treatments amidst a growing market of potentially unsafe alternatives.
Keywords: Eli Lilly, Zepbound, weight loss drug, medication pricing, GLP-1, FDA, counterfeit drugs, LillyDirect
