#EliLilly #Zepbound #WeightLoss
Eli Lilly's Bold Move: Affordable Zepbound for Weight Loss
Eli Lilly has taken a significant step towards making its weight loss medication, Zepbound, more accessible to individuals without insurance coverage. The pharmaceutical giant has introduced a new, more affordable version of Zepbound, priced at $399 and $549 per month for 2.5-milligram and 5-milligram single-dose vials, respectively. This move is a direct response to the growing demand for the medication and the emergence of lower-cost alternatives in the market.
The new single-dose vials of Zepbound, available through Eli Lilly's direct-to-consumer website, LillyDirect, will enhance production capacity due to their simpler manufacturing process compared to autoinjector pens. This shift in strategy is designed to ensure patients have safe and genuine access to the treatment, as counterfeit versions pose a significant risk to public health.
Prior to this adjustment, the list prices for Zepbound and other popular weight management medications, such as Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, were around $1,000 monthly before insurance and rebates. These treatments belong to the highly regarded category of drugs known as GLP-1s, which simulate specific gut hormones to help suppress appetite and manage blood sugar levels.
Patients will need to utilize a syringe and needle to extract the medication from the vials, contrasting with the existing single-dose autoinjector pens. Eli Lilly has emphasized the importance of a transparent pricing model, eliminating third-party supply chain costs and ensuring predictability for consumers.
The reduced pricing will particularly benefit individuals willing to self-fund their Zepbound treatment, especially those in Medicare employer-sponsored plans that do not currently cover obesity medications. Medicare recipients cannot access Eli Lilly's savings card programs, which typically reduce out-of-pocket expenses for those with insurance to as low as $25 or $550 for those without coverage.
Eli Lilly is collaborating with Gifthealth, a third-party digital pharmacy, to manage electronic prescriptions and deliver the vials to eligible patients. Patients can also purchase syringes and needles from the company's website and access instructional materials on the proper administration of Zepbound from a vial.
This effort is part of Eli Lilly's broader strategy to safeguard the public against the risks associated with counterfeit and potentially harmful versions of its medications. By distributing vials through LillyDirect, the company guarantees that patients and healthcare providers receive authentic Zepbound.
Original Article: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/27/zepbound-eli-lilly-releases-new-cheaper-form-of-weight-loss-drug.html
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