Lilly Slashes Zepbound Vial Prices by Up to 50% to Expand Access for Uninsured Patients

Eli Lilly and Company (Lilly) officially introduced higher-dose single-dose vials of its weight loss drug Zepbound (tirzepatide) at up to half the usual monthly list price. The company now offers 7.5 mg and 10 mg vials for $499 through the Zepbound Self Pay Journey Program, while also reducing the cost of its 2.5 mg and 5 mg vials. By expanding access, Lilly aims to support patients without insurance coverage, including those on Medicare, while increasing the U.S. supply of Zepbound amid rising demand and ensuring eligible patients receive the authentic treatment rather than lower-cost compounded versions.

7.5 mg and 10 mg Doses Available for $499/Month with 45-Day Refill Eligibility

Eli Lilly now provides higher doses of Zepbound in single-dose vials through the “self-pay pharmacy” section of its direct-to-consumer website, LillyDirect. The platform, which began offering lower-dose vials in August, allows eligible patients diagnosed with obesity or obesity with obstructive sleep apnea, Zepbound’s newly approved indication, to purchase the vials 

To improve affordability, Lilly has reduced the monthly price of the 2.5 mg dose to $349 and the 5 mg dose to $499. Additionally, through the Zepbound Self Pay Journey Program, Lilly set the price of the 7.5 mg and 10 mg doses at $599 and $699, respectively. However, patients can access these doses for $499 per month if they refill within 45 days of their previous delivery.

“Every major medical organization and establishment recognizes obesity as a chronic disease, yet insurance and federal programs do not systematically cover people living with obesity for medical care — this needs to change,” said Patrik Jonsson, executive vice president and president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health and Lilly USA. “Lilly is committed to working with all parties to solve this problem, and in the meantime, we’ll continue to implement new options that improve the affordability and availability of our safe, approved and studied Zepbound for patients who are being asked to pay out-of-pocket.”

FDA Declares Zepbound Shortage Over, Ending Compounding Pharmacies’ Production of Cheaper Alternatives

Patients must use a syringe and needle to draw the medication from a single-dose vial before injecting themselves. This differs from single-dose autoinjector pens, the standard delivery method for all Zepbound doses, which allow patients to administer the injection with the press of a button. Individuals usually begin treatment with a 2.5 mg dose for four weeks, gradually increasing the amount over time before transitioning to maintenance doses to sustain weight loss. 

Some individuals had turned to compounding pharmacies that produce cheaper versions of Zepbound due to the high cost and prior shortage of the branded treatment. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has declared the Zepbound shortage over, which will soon prevent many compounding pharmacies from producing these alternative versions of the drug.

In addition, the FDA has announced that it will not take action against compounding pharmacies for violations of the FD&C Act related to semaglutide injection products while they remain on the drug shortage list. State-licensed pharmacies and physicians compounding under section 503A may continue to compound, distribute, or dispense semaglutide products that are essentially copies of FDA-approved versions. Outsourcing facilities under section 503B have until May 22, 2025, to engage in similar activities.

“The OAC applauds Lilly for another step forward in improving the affordability of obesity treatment,” said Joe Nadglowski, president and CEO of the Obesity Action Coalition. “However, we still have a long way to go in building a health care system that provides comprehensive care, coverage and payment of such care for people with obesity that is free of weight bias.”

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Denisse Sandoval