Eli Lilly announced on Tuesday a significant reduction in the prices of its two lowest doses of the popular weight loss medication, Zepbound, as part of an effort to increase accessibility and address supply issues. However, the new pricing model may pose challenges for some patients.
The monthly price for the lowest dose (2.5 mg) will be set at $399, while the 5 mg dose will cost $549, down from a previous list price of $1,059 per month for any dosage.
These lower-priced options will be available exclusively through Lilly’s telehealth service, LillyDirect, and will not be covered by insurance, requiring patients to pay out of pocket. Additionally, those opting for these discounted doses will not be eligible for the company’s discount savings program.
Lilly clarified that the new pricing is feasible because the drug will now be sold in vials, rather than single-dose auto-injectors, which will require patients to use a syringe to extract the medication. The 2.5 mg and 5 mg doses will still be accessible in auto-injector form, but not at these reduced prices.
Many users of Zepbound have been calling for vial options, believing that the manufacturing complexities of auto-injectors are causing supply shortages. In response to ongoing demand, Lilly’s president, Patrik Jonsson, stated that the introduction of vials would enhance access to a safe and effective treatment.
However, some medical professionals, like Dr. Maria Daniela Hurtado Andrade from the Mayo Clinic, have raised concerns about the affordability of the medication. She noted that even the lower-priced option remains prohibitively expensive for many, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities.
Dr. Shauna Levy, a specialist in obesity medicine, viewed the changes as a positive development for the obesity community and anticipates a response from Novo Nordisk, which also produces popular weight loss drugs.
As both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk face mounting pressure to reduce drug prices, Senator Bernie Sanders has been vocal in calling for action, criticizing the high costs and emphasizing that recent changes by Eli Lilly only represent a partial step forward.
The new vial options are designed for individuals without insurance or those whose plans do not cover Zepbound, and prescriptions can be sent directly to LillyDirect for shipment to patients. The vials will be available nationwide, accompanied by usage instructions and the option to purchase syringes.
For patients like D Scott from Las Vegas, the transition to using vials could be concerning due to dexterity issues related to drawing medication with a syringe. Although she currently accesses the medication through a discount program, she is anxious about the forthcoming changes once the program ends.