Overview

• Eli Lilly has launched 7.5 mg and 10 mg vials of its weight-loss drug Zepbound, priced at $499 per month for patients paying without insurance through LillyDirect.
• The prices for lower-dose vials (2.5 mg and 5 mg) have been reduced to $349 and $499 per month, respectively, further expanding affordability options.
• The vials are part of Lilly's direct-to-consumer program, which bypasses third-party supply chains to provide lower prices for self-paying patients.
• This move comes as Eli Lilly aims to compete with Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and address the market previously served by compounded versions of weight-loss drugs, which are being phased out after FDA shortages ended.
• Lilly's efforts also highlight the broader issue of limited insurance coverage for obesity treatments, sparking calls for systemic changes to improve accessibility.