Eli Lilly has released a new form of its weight loss drug Zepbound at a reduced price of $399 per month for 2.5-milligram single-dose vials and $549 per month for 5-milligram single-dose vials. The move is aimed at reaching patients without insurance coverage, such as those on Medicare, and ensuring safe access to the real treatment as cheaper copycat versions increase in popularity. This new form of Zepbound is expected to expand the drug’s supply in the U.S. as demand for weight loss medications, particularly GLP-1s, continues to rise.
Patients starting treatment with Zepbound typically begin with a 2.5-milligram dose, gradually increasing as needed and transitioning to maintenance doses to maintain weight loss. The drug, along with other popular weight loss medications like Wegovy, normally costs around $1,000 per month before insurance and rebates. Zepbound is part of the GLP-1 class of medications, which mimic gut hormones to regulate appetite and blood sugar levels, requiring patients to self-administer injections.
The release of single-dose vials of Zepbound by Eli Lilly is intended to increase supply capacity by facilitating easier manufacturing compared to autoinjector pens. The lower prices of the vials will benefit patients enrolled in Medicare or employer-sponsored health plans that do not cover obesity treatments, as well as those who are willing to pay for Zepbound out-of-pocket. Patients with valid prescriptions can purchase the vials directly from Eli Lilly’s website, which also offers syringes, needles, and instructional materials for self-administration.
By offering the single-dose vials through their direct-to-consumer site, LillyDirect, Eli Lilly aims to ensure that patients and healthcare providers are receiving authentic Zepbound. The company has taken steps to protect against the proliferation of counterfeit or untested knock-offs of their medications, including partnering with a third-party digital pharmacy to process prescriptions for the vials. Compounding pharmacies are not supplied with the active ingredients of Zepbound and other patented medications by Eli Lilly, prompting concerns about the quality and safety of compounded versions.
Eli Lilly’s efforts to stem the distribution of counterfeit weight loss medications have extended to legal action against wellness clinics, medical spas, and compounding pharmacies selling illicit versions of their drugs. Despite Zepbound’s availability on the FDA’s drug shortage database, numerous online platforms offering compounded versions of weight loss medications from Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk have emerged. The company is committed to ensuring access to FDA-approved, quality-controlled tirzepatide for consumers in need while addressing the risks posed by unregulated anti-obesity products.
In conclusion, Eli Lilly’s introduction of lower-cost single-dose vials of Zepbound represents a step towards expanding access to weight loss medications for patients without insurance coverage. By offering transparent pricing and direct-to-consumer sales through their website, the company aims to provide a reliable source of genuine medication while combatting the proliferation of counterfeit drugs. Through partnerships with digital pharmacies and legal actions against unauthorized distributors, Eli Lilly seeks to protect patients from the risks associated with untested and unapproved weight loss treatments.
