USA— Eli Lilly and Company has recently announced the availability of Zepbound® (tirzepatide) in 2.5 mg and 5 mg single-dose vials for self-pay patients with a valid, on-label prescription.
This move is expected to significantly increase the supply of the medication, responding to the high demand for obesity treatments.
The newly introduced single-dose vials are offered at a 50% or greater discount compared to the list price of other incretin (GLP-1) medicines used to treat obesity.
This pricing aligns with Lilly’s Zepbound savings program, which aims to make the medication more accessible to individuals without insurance.
According to Lilly, a four-week supply of the 2.5 mg Zepbound single-dose vial is priced at US$399, or US$99.75 per vial, while the four-week supply of the 5 mg dose is available for US$549, or US$137.25 per vial.
The self-pay model allows patients to bypass third-party supply chain entities, ensuring transparent pricing and enabling direct access to savings outside of insurance.
This initiative is designed to assist millions of adults with obesity, including those ineligible for the Zepbound savings card program, those without employer-provided insurance coverage, and individuals who need to pay for their medications out-of-pocket.
Lilly has also introduced a new self-pay pharmacy component of LillyDirect, where patients with a valid, on-label prescription from their healthcare provider can purchase the vials directly.
By distributing the vials through this channel, Lilly ensures that patients and healthcare providers can trust that they are receiving genuine Lilly medication.
This effort is part of Lilly’s broader campaign to protect the public from counterfeit, fake, unsafe, or untested knock-offs of their medications.
The company has taken a firm stance against the misuse of obesity medicine for cosmetic weight loss, implementing a multi-step verification process to ensure that vials are dispensed only to patients with a valid, on-label electronic prescription.
In addition to the vials, patients can also purchase ancillary supplies such as syringes and needles. Lilly provides patient-friendly instructional materials to guide proper medication administration via needle and syringe.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Patrik Jonsson, executive vice president and president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health and Lilly USA, highlighted that the introduction of Zepbound single-dose vials is a significant step in fulfilling the company’s promise to increase the availability of Zepbound in the U.S.
He emphasised that these new vials not only help meet the high demand for their obesity medication but also broaden access for patients seeking a safe and effective treatment option.
Jonsson also highlighted the medication’s efficacy, noting that in a clinical study, the 5 mg maintenance dose of Zepbound helped patients achieve an average of 15% weight loss after 72 weeks of treatment.
He described the medication as a powerful tool for millions of people with obesity who are striving to lose weight and maintain their weight loss.
However, Jonsson lamented that obesity continues to be misclassified as a lifestyle choice. This misconception has led many employers and the federal government to exclude medications like Zepbound from insurance coverage.
He called for policymakers to update outdated policies and address the lack of coverage for obesity medications, which he believes is crucial for making Zepbound single-dose vials more widely available to patients managing this chronic condition.
Echoing Jonsson’s sentiments, James Zervos, chief operating officer of the Obesity Action Coalition, stressed that people living with obesity have long been denied access to essential treatment and care.
He highlighted the importance of expanding coverage and affordability for obesity treatments and commended Lilly for its leadership in offering an innovative solution that brings it closer to achieving equitable care.
Zervos also challenged policymakers, employers, and insurers to collaborate with pharmaceutical companies to ensure everyone receives the care they deserve and need.
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