Eli Lilly Zepbound prices slashed by 50% for lowest doses

Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY) slashed the prices of the two lowest doses of its blockbuster weight loss medication Zepbound on Tuesday for purchases on its telehealth platform, LillyDirect.

Accordingly, a four-week supply of the GLP-1 receptor agonist will be available in a single vial format on LillyDirect for $399 and $549 at 2.5 mg and 5.0 mg doses, respectively. A four-week supply of Zepbound is currently available on the market for $1,060 in auto-injector pens.

“These new vials not only help us meet the high demand for our obesity medicine but also broaden access for patients seeking a safe and effective treatment option,” president of Lilly (LLY) USA, Patrik Jonsson, said.

However, the new low-cost Zepbound versions marketed on LLY’s self-pay channel won’t be covered by insurance.

“The self-pay channel enables a transparent price by removing third-party supply chain entities and allowing patients to access savings directly outside of insurance,” the company added.

Eli Lilly (LLY) and its rival in the weight loss space, Novo Nordisk (NVO), have been facing supply constraints for their blockbuster obesity medications, tirzepatide and semaglutide, branded as Zepbound and Wegovy.

While the supply of some Wegovy doses continues to be limited in the U.S., there are no shortages of Zepbound doses, according to the FDA.

“These new vials not only help us meet the high demand for our obesity medicine but also broaden access for patients seeking a safe and effective treatment option,” Jonsson added.