Zepbound weight loss drug becomes more affordable

Eli Lilly and Company, a major pharmaceutical company, announced on Monday that its weight-loss drug, Zepbound, will soon be cheaper for people who pay for it themselves, without relying on insurance.

Previously, different doses of Zepbound had varying prices for those paying out of pocket. Now, most doses will cost $499 or less per month. This includes the higher doses (12.5 mg and 15 mg), which used to be priced higher ($849 and $1,049). Other doses like 7.5 mg and 10 mg, which were $599 and $699, will now be $499. The 5 mg dose stays at $499, and the starting dose of 2.5 mg will be available for $349 for the first month.

These new prices are for adults who have obesity and a valid prescription from their doctor. Doctors can start prescribing the 12.5 mg and 15 mg doses at the new prices on July 7, and patients should start receiving them in early August.

Rhonda Pacheco, a vice president at Lilly, emphasized that obesity is a serious health condition, and people need quick access to medications for it. She stated that Lilly was the first company to offer a direct-pay option for an FDA-approved obesity drug. This move is meant to give doctors and patients more choices for treatment.

Zepbound is an injectable medicine that helps adults with obesity, or those who are overweight, with related health issues, to lose weight and keep it off. It's also approved to help adults with severe sleep apnea related to obesity.

For those paying for Zepbound themselves, all doses from 2.5 mg to 15 mg will be available. The usual starting dose is 2.5 mg once a week for four weeks, then it's increased to 5 mg. Doctors can gradually increase the dose every four weeks, up to a maximum of 15 mg. The 2.5 mg starting dose is not meant for long-term use.

Lilly has also created new resources on its website, Zepbound.lilly.com, to help patients with things like appealing insurance denials or getting letters from their doctors to justify the need for the medication. More information about Lilly's direct purchasing program, LillyDirect, can be found at LillyDirect.lilly.com.