Biotech
Thursday, August 29th, 2024 1:58 pm EDT
Key Points
- Affordable Access: Eli Lilly released a more affordable version of its weight loss drug, Zepbound, offering single-dose vials at nearly half the usual monthly price to increase access for uninsured patients, including those on Medicare, and to address the high demand for the medication.
- Supply Expansion and Safety: The introduction of single-dose vials is intended to expand Zepbound’s supply in the U.S. by easing manufacturing processes. This move also aims to ensure patients access genuine, FDA-approved medication amid the rise of cheaper, potentially unsafe copycat versions.
- Direct-to-Consumer Strategy: Eli Lilly is selling the new vials through its direct-to-consumer website, LillyDirect, offering patients a transparent pricing model without third-party markups, and ensuring the delivery of genuine Zepbound through a partnership with a digital pharmacy, Gifthealth.
Eli Lilly has introduced a more affordable version of its weight loss drug, Zepbound, aiming to make it accessible to a broader population, particularly those without insurance, such as Medicare beneficiaries. The newly released single-dose vials are priced at $399 for 2.5-milligram and $549 for 5-milligram doses per month, significantly lower than the typical $1,000 monthly list price for Zepbound and similar weight loss drugs like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy. These GLP-1 class drugs work by mimicking gut hormones to suppress appetite and regulate blood sugar, offering effective weight management solutions.
The new vials, available through Eli Lilly’s direct-to-consumer website, require patients to manually draw the medicine using a syringe and needle, a departure from the more convenient autoinjector pens previously available. The company hopes this format will not only lower costs but also expand the supply of Zepbound, which has been in high demand. By simplifying the manufacturing process, Eli Lilly can increase production and meet the growing needs of patients seeking effective weight loss treatments.
Eli Lilly’s strategy also includes addressing the growing issue of counterfeit or compounded versions of weight loss drugs that have proliferated during shortages. By offering Zepbound directly through its website, the company ensures that patients receive genuine and safe medication. Eli Lilly’s online platform, LillyDirect, connects patients with independent telehealth services and a third-party digital pharmacy, Gifthealth, to process and deliver prescriptions. This direct-to-consumer approach provides transparency and eliminates third-party markups, ensuring predictable pricing for consumers.
The introduction of the more affordable vials is particularly beneficial for Medicare beneficiaries and those with employer-sponsored health plans that do not cover obesity treatments. However, the company’s savings card programs for Zepbound will see changes, with the lowest cost for new patients increasing to $650 per month. This adjustment aims to maintain the program’s sustainability as coverage for the drug improves.
Eli Lilly’s efforts also include a strong stance against the distribution of counterfeit and unsafe versions of their medications. The company, along with Novo Nordisk, has taken legal action against wellness clinics, medical spas, and compounding pharmacies selling illicit versions of their weight loss and diabetes treatments. These actions highlight the risks posed by unregulated alternatives that may not contain the correct active ingredients, such as tirzepatide, which is protected by patents and not supplied to outside groups.
As demand for Zepbound continues to grow, Eli Lilly remains committed to ensuring safe and affordable access to its medication. The company’s new initiatives, including the introduction of lower-priced vials and direct-to-consumer sales, are part of a broader effort to expand the availability of FDA-approved, high-quality treatments while combating the rise of dangerous counterfeit drugs in the market.
For the full original article on CNBC, please click here: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/08/27/zepbound-eli-lilly-releases-new-cheaper-form-of-weight-loss-drug.html
